This lady beetle (Coccinellidae) is protecting its
enemy. The cocoon between its legs holds a parasitoid wasp larva (
Dinocampus coccinellae), which fed on the beetle’s insides before bursting from its belly. Researchers have discovered what makes the beetles act as babysitters: They are infected with a brain-controlling virus. When the larva emerges and spins its cocoon, the virus makes the beetle freeze in place, protecting the baby wasp from predators.
