I Contain Multitudes: A Wasp Mom's Gift--Blankets of Bacteria
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The beewolf is a digger wasp that preys on honey bees. A beewolf mother stings a honey bee and deposits an egg on the bee’s paralyzed body. When the beewolf larva hatches, it can feed on the honey bee. Scientists discovered that the beewolf’s antennae are packed with bacteria called Streptomyces, which produce a variety of antibiotic substances. The beewolf spreads the antibiotic-producing bacteria on the cocoon in which the larva develops. In this way, the larva is protected from being infected by harmful bacteria and fungi. Part of the "I Contain Multitudes" series.
Media Details
Runtime: 9 minutes 10 seconds
- Topic: Science
- Subtopic: Biology, Insects, Science Experiments
- Grade/Interest Level: 10 - 12
- Standards:
- Release Year: 2017
- Producer/Distributor: Tangled Bank Studios
- Series: I Contain Multitudes
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I Contain Multitudes: A Wasp Mom's Gift--Blankets of Bacteria