If blogs could have mascots, the Loom’s would be the Emerald Cockroach Wasp (Ampulex compressa). Back in 2006, I first wrote about the grisly sophistication of this insect, which turns cockroaches into zombie hosts to be devoured by their offspring. Since then I’ve blogged from time to time about new research on this parasite’s parasite. Last year I sang the praises of the Emerald Cockroach Wasp on the NPR show Radiolab, and, to my surprise, brought some peace of mind to a very scared kid.

Continue reading “A Wasp Finds the Seat of the Cockroach Soul” →

Josephine writes, “My mother was diagnosed with breast cancer on Valentine’s Day. Happy V-Day, right?? She, being the eternal matriarch of the family, called each child individually and told us the news. She is VERY upbeat and positive, and so we are, too. I am a mathematics major in college and when she told me the news, my sister and I both wanted tattoos in her honor. At first I wanted a blue whale, it being her favorite animal, but I went with a heart curve. In mathematics, as I’m sure you know, there are 6 heart curves. This is just one of them, and the least ‘busy.’ I am proud to display it on my right forearm for my mother through this trying time.”

Click here to go to the full Science Tattoo Emporium.

Originally published April 18, 2010. Copyright 2010 Carl Zimmer.

Here’s a wonderfully disturbing new species of leech that you don’t want to find up your nose. For background, check out my profile of its discoverer, Mark Siddall, in the New York Times.

Originally published April 16, 2010. Copyright 2010 Carl Zimmer.

Lovely tribute in the Times to the Great Bear of Locktown.

Originally published April 16, 2010. Copyright 2010 Carl Zimmer.