Bacteria-infected insects can devour the brain itself and genitals

According to the Scientific American website, there is a type of bacteria - Wolbachia - that only infects arthropods and causes these animals (including insects) to devour their heads and genitals to get rid of infections.

According to the publication, when Wolbachia infects insects, the first hosts do not seem to suffer much effects, and stop producing male specimens. However, the problems begin when these animals transmit the infected genetic material to future generations who can then infect other animals, including those of the same lineage.

Suicidal immune system

What happens is that the insect organisms that receive the infected genetic material do not know how to react to the disease and, as arthropods have a very primitive immune system - responsible for fighting disease and infection - it sends commands to the animals to eliminate them. whatever is causing problems.

Thus, as the bacteria often settle in the brain and genitals of insects, these are the foci of infection that animals try to eliminate, although they can cause numerous unpleasant effects and ultimately death. And what would be the best medicine? That insect organisms could find a way to live with the bacteria before launching a self-destructive attack.

Source: Scientific American