Nematodes Hitchhike on Bumblebees Using Electric Fields
Japanese scientists have discovered that nematodes (C. elegans) use electric fields to leap from the bottom of Petri dishes to the lid and even onto bumblebees. The worms rely on a type of phoresy to achieve range and use a behavior known as "nictation" to attach to passing larger animals. Unlike snails and bugs, flying insects like bumblebees naturally accumulate charge during flight, producing an electric field. The researchers found that the worms only lept to the other electrode when the charge was applied and moved at an average speed of 0.86 meters per second.