This installment looks at Parisitism - the types of creatures that exist by attaching themselves to a host. This symbiotic relationship between the parasite and host is very common in the animal kingdom, and typically involves two distinct and disparate species.
Here are some of the varieties of parasites:
The Pea Crab
The Pea Crab lives inside mollusks, and are about the size of a pea (hence it's name).Varroa Destructor
The Varroa Destructor is a mite that attaches itself to honeybees, sucking their blood. Once inside a hive, the female mites enter the honeybee brood cell, lays her eggs on the larva, which hatch at about the same time as the young bee emerges. These mites stay with the host. It's believed these mites are the cause of the decimation of the honeybee population world-wide.Tapeworm
Let's not discuss this one, shall we?Emerald Cockroach Wasp
These little devils paralyze a cockroach with its venom, takes it to its lair, stick one of its larva on the cockroach's abdomen, then buries it. Once the larva hatch...feeding time!Flea
Bane of cats and dogs.Occupy Wall Street
They seek to live off the hard work of others, and enjoy the fruits of others labors yet make no effort to contribute to society in a positive manner, while at the same time make demands that would certainly destroy the very system that sustains them. When not protesting, they prefer subterranean dwelling places (i.e.: their parents' house basement), are fascinated by small hand-held technological devices, and are proficient with cardboard and Sharpie markers."But LarryD!", you exclaim. "You said the parasite and host are distinct and disparate." This is true. And after two-three weeks of 'protesting', I'd say these slackers stink, and that their tactics are rather desperate.
