Talthybia sp.(?) with a Nematomorpha (sometimes called Gordiacea , and commonly known as horsehair worms) parasite – lowland in central Sarawak/Borneo

Adult Nematomorpha parasites only leave their hosts to reproduce and do not consume food in this adult stage. Shortly before the end of juvenile development, the parasite influences its host in such a way that it compulsively seeks of water. The spider in the pictures above was hanging over a larger river with a water depth of about 110 cm. After the first photos, the spider turned around its own axis on its thread and the parasite emerged, this process took about 1 – 2 minutes, after which it fell into the water and was carried away by the current. The spider died after the parasite left its host.