Mafia parasite makes bees dig their own graves

Thinkstock

Mafia parasite makes bees dig their own graves
(Image credit: Thinkstock)

It's not just humans: Even insects are subject to humiliation before death.

A new study at the University of Virginia found that conopids, which are parasitic flies that attack bees and exist in more than 800 species, force their hosts to burrow into the ground, where death awaits them.

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Meghan DeMaria

Meghan DeMaria is a staff writer at TheWeek.com. She has previously worked for USA Today and Marie Claire.