The TWiVsters reveal the puppet master: an RNA virus injected with wasp eggs that paralyzes the ladybug so that she protects the cocoon until the adult emerges.

Hosts: Vincent Racaniello, Alan Dove, Rich Condit, and Kathy Spindler

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Links for this episode

ASM grant writing online course
Who is the puppet master? (Proc Roy Soc B)
Why ladybird?
Ladybird ladybird
Dinocampus coccinellae
Image credit
Letters read on TWiV 443

Weekly Science Picks

Kathy - Science Showcase Video Contest Alan - Biochemical pathways on one chart Rich - 35th America's Cup Vincent - Viruses (pdf) and A whole new Jupiter

Listener Pick

Peter - Fake typhoid epidemic saves Polish city and Life gets complicated when disease overruns your town Ralph - Dilbert on climate change

Intro music is by Ronald Jenkees.

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TWiV 443: On a leaf, no one can hear you scream