Ecdyonurus nymphs parasitized by Symbiocladius

[Mark Melton]

These Ecdyonurus nymphs and their parasites were found in Mill Creek, a tributary of the Russian River. The Symbiocladius parasites are members of Diptera (fly family). I've only found them on Ecdyonurus nymphs although they are also found on Rhithrogena and Paraleptophlebia nymphs as well. They feed off the blood of the nymphs and may prevent them from transforming into adults. The first two photos show Ecdyonurus nymphs without parasites, the following three photos show the nymphs with parasites.

https://sparrow.up.poznan.pl/pte/ppe/PPE1-2007/285-291_Gilka_i_in.pdf

 

[Tom Butler]

Wow. Amazing.

 

[Otter]

Thanks for sharing this. Amazing! Can you imagine if we humans had parasites that large, relative to our body size?

 

[Hobbyranch]

These Ecdyonurus nymphs and their parasites were found in Mill Creek, a tributary of the Russian River. The Symbiocladius parasites are members of Diptera (fly family). I've only found them on Ecdyonurus nymphs although they are also found on Rhithrogena and Paraleptophlebia nymphs as well. They feed off the blood of the nymphs and may prevent them from transforming into adults. The first two photos show Ecdyonurus nymphs without parasites, the following three photos show the nymphs with parasites.

https://sparrow.up.poznan.pl/pte/ppe/PPE1-2007/285-291_Gilka_i_in.pdf

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Now we know where the Aliens movie ideas came fr!

 

[Mark Melton]

Now we know where the Aliens movie ideas came fr!

Actually, they were modeled after wasp larvae. Here's one in action.