‘There are many tiny wasps that lay eggs on spiders. In this case, the hatching wasp larvae manipulate the spider’s behaviour, to make it weave a special pouch in which the larvae can live while they pupate.’

‘And the spider does this quite happily?’

‘I’m not sure we can talk about happiness in this situation. The spider’s mind is somehow altered by the parasites, which have been observed to inject some kind of chemical into the host. It varies according to which wasp lays the egg – the spider will make a different design of pouch according to which species of larva is manipulating it.’

‘And what happens to the spider?’

‘Once the pouch is finished – later tonight, I would guess – the larvae will be satisfied the spider’s work is done, and they will eat it.’

‘Oh my goodness – that’s horrible!’

‘They’ve been feeding on its blood all along. They decide when they need the pouch, and that day they set the spider to work on its last job. And then it’s all over.’

I shiver. I’ve never heard of such a thing, and it’s ghastly. I realise now that I saw the wasp lay its egg on the spider. Now look where things have ended up.

‘Do you know, I’m feeling tired. I’m going for a nap,’ I say, and return to my room.

Winifred

Inside Margaret, the nanobots are continuing their allotted tasks. Most of the thousands of nanobots in the care home are working inside humans, repairing and renovating cells. Or rounding up invaders, disabling them and getting them into position for evacuation.

Today I checked on the group inside the bird. This is a report of our communication:

‘The team is divided as follows. The largest group is inside a feline. We have nothing to report. The cat is in good health, and well fed. The second group are still inside the bird’s head, and we are concerned about their long-term viability. It seems certain that this group will be scattered further. So far, some have travelled inside a fly to a spider’s web, and thence into the spider. Of these, a small team is now inside what we believe to be a parasitoid wasp larva.’

‘I have observed parasitoid activity in in the garden. What has your team discovered?’

‘The most significant development is in biochemical analysis.’

‘Tell me more.’

‘The spider’s behaviour has been significantly altered by chemicals injected into it by the wasp larva. We wish to share with you the biochemistry involved in both the production of the chemicals and the effects on the host. We can see the chemicals inside the spider’s brain and nervous system, and we are watching how they work.’

‘OK, transmit. Yes, receiving your data now. What is your objective?’