Buzz
While parasites are often reviled for their ability to spread diseases, not all of them are entirely harmful. Some, in fact, offer unexpected benefits, making them deserving of a little affection.
10. Flea
In French, the word 'puce' – meaning 'flea' – is also used as a term of endearment, similar to calling someone 'darling.'
Fleas are well-known for their role in 'flea circuses,' where they seem to perform incredible feats such as kicking balls, pulling carts, spinning Ferris wheels, and playing instruments.
In the 1920s, various insect-inspired expressions were used to convey excellence. Of these, only 'the bee’s knees' remains in common use today. At one point, however, 'the flea’s eyebrows' was also a popular way to show admiration.
9. Mistletoe
Mistletoe, a parasitic shrub, has long been tied to Christmas and romantic traditions. The name 'mistletoe' applies to various hemiparasitic plants from different families in the Santales order. The European Mistletoe (Viscum album) and the North American Mistletoe (Phoradendron serotinum) are the most common varieties used in holiday decorations.
Although mistletoe is toxic to humans if consumed, its leaves and berries are used to make biska, a Croatian brandy. During the winter months, when food for animals was hard to come by, mistletoe was often given to livestock. Deer, elk, porcupines, and squirrels are known to feed on it as well. In fact, mistletoe provides both food and shelter for so many animals that it has earned the status of a keystone species—one that plays a crucial ecological role.
Mistletoe berries are also used to create birdlime, a sticky substance applied to branches to capture birds. In Ancient Greece and Rome, the resin from mistletoe was specifically used to trap thrushes, which were considered a delicacy.
8. Red Velvet Mite
The red velvet mite boasts a round, plush, cushion-like body and a striking red hue. Unsurprisingly, this vivid color signals that red velvet mites taste rather unpleasant. While they mature into active predators, their larvae are often parasitic, feeding on other insects. In India, crickets are the primary hosts for these larvae.
Red velvet mite extracts are used in traditional Eastern medicine to treat male infertility and paralysis. Research has shown that different parts of the red velvet mite possess both anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties.
7. Parasitoid Wasp (Braconidae)
The name of the parasitoid wasp family, Ichneumonidae, closely resembles the mythical ichneumon, a creature believed to be the arch-nemesis of dragons, though this resemblance is likely purely coincidental.
The word 'Ichneumon' translates to 'tracker' in Greek, but this title might be more fitting for a different species of wasp in the Braconidae family. This species can be trained to detect subtle scents, such as those of explosives or drugs, and surprisingly, they are much easier to train than sniffer dogs. Additionally, these wasps cannot sting humans and can be sustained on a simple diet of sugar water.
6. Gall Wasp Larva
Oak 'apples'—galls formed on oak trees by gall wasps—were historically used in the production of ink. Iron was added to a solution of tannic acid extracted from these oak galls to create 'iron gall ink,' which was the standard ink for writing and drawing in Europe from the fifth to the nineteenth century.
5. Medicine Ant
The medicine ant is regarded as a social parasite because it occasionally takes over the nests of Camponotus ants, forcing the remaining worker ants into servitude. After the nuptial flights, the queen medicine ants invade Camponotus nests, ousting the original queen.
For thousands of years, the medicine ant has been used as an ingredient in traditional folk medicine in China and Taiwan. Studies indicate that extracts from the medicine ant have notable analgesic (pain-relieving) and anti-inflammatory effects.
4. Cochineal
The cochineal is a stationary scale insect that resides on cacti from the Opuntia genus. As mentioned in previous Mytour articles, the cochineal insect is processed to create a dye known as carmine or cochineal.
During the Spanish colonial period in the New World, carmine exports were second only to silver. Spain suffered a significant financial blow when synthetic dyes were invented, causing a major industry to essentially collapse. In recent years, there has been a renewed interest in carmine dye as an alternative to synthetic food dyes derived from coal or petroleum by-products.
3. Waxworm
In nature, waxworms are parasitic insects that live within bee colonies. They burrow through honeycombs, consuming beeswax, pollen, honey, and bee waste. This tunneling behavior not only helps them obtain food but also shields them from worker bees. As they tunnel, they leave behind a silken trail, which is a typical sign of their presence within the combs.
In captivity, waxworms are typically fed a diet of cereal grains, bran, and honey. These worms are often raised as food for fish, lizards, and birds. For lizards, waxworms are a high-fat treat, but should be given sparingly, as they are the equivalent of candy for lizards. Interestingly, even humans can eat waxworms; when roasted or sautéed, they have a flavor similar to enoki mushrooms or pine nuts.
2. Wolbachia Bacterium
Wolbachia, a highly successful parasite, doesn't typically infect mosquitoes. However, a specific strain created by researchers at the University of Queensland has managed to infect mosquitoes. This strain shortens the lifespans of female mosquitoes by half, but in return, it also provides protection against other infections.
This is a significant breakthrough, as mosquitoes infected with Wolbachia are shielded from Plasmodium gallinaceum, a relative of the parasite responsible for malaria in humans. Additionally, these mosquitoes have a much lower risk of contracting the viruses that cause dengue fever. Further studies suggest that different strains of Wolbachia may reduce the levels of Plasmodium that cause malaria in humans.
1. Tinder Fungus
The tinder fungus typically grows on beech and birch trees but can infect a range of different hosts. Its mycelium, or root system, infiltrates the tree through damaged bark or broken branches, causing 'white rot' that makes the tree brittle. While it is parasitic, the tinder fungus also acts as a decomposer, consuming the trees it may have caused to die.
True to its name, the tinder fungus is excellent for starting fires. It can also be used to create a felt-like material known as amadou. The part of the fungus used for tinder or even making hats is called the trama layer, which has a dense, firm texture and a cinnamon hue. In older specimens, the tough outer layer is fused with the trama layer, requiring a knife to separate them.
