The emerald jewel wasp (Ampulex compressa) is renowned for its ability to zombify the American cockroach (Periplaneta americana) with a sting to the brain. When the venom takes effect, the cockroach becomes passive and can be led by its antenna into a hole, where the wasp deposits an egg and then seals the exit with debris. The cockroach has the ability to walk, run, or fly if properly stimulated, but it does not try to escape as it is slowly eaten alive by the developing wasp larva. Although the composition and effects of the wasp's venom have been investigated, no studies have detailed how cockroaches might prevent this grim fate. Here it is shown that many cockroaches deter wasps with a vigorous defense. Successful cockroaches elevated their bodies, bringing their neck out of reach, and kicked at the wasp with their spiny hind legs, often striking the wasp's head multiple times. Failing this, the elevated, "on-guard" position allowed cockroaches to detect and evade the wasp's lunging attack. If grasped, the cockroaches parried the stinger with their legs, used a "stiff-arm" defense to hold back the stinger, and could stab at, and dislodge, the wasp with tibial spines. Lastly, cockroaches bit at the abdomen of wasps delivering the brain sting. An aggressive defense from the outset was most successful. Thus, for a cockroach not to become a zombie, the best strategy is: be vigilant, protect your throat, and strike repeatedly at the head of the attacker.

中文翻译：

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如何不变成僵尸。

翡翠宝石黄蜂（Ampulex compressa）以其能刺伤美国人的蟑螂（Periplaneta americana）的能力而闻名。当毒液生效时，蟑螂会变得被动，可以被其天线引导到一个洞中，在那儿黄蜂会产卵，然后用碎屑密封出口。如果受到适当的刺激，蟑螂具有行走，奔跑或飞行的能力，但是由于正在发育中的黄蜂幼虫正在慢慢地吞食蟑螂，因此它不会试图逃脱。尽管已经研究了黄蜂毒液的成分和作用，但没有研究详细说明蟑螂如何预防这种严峻的命运。在此表明，许多蟑螂以强有力的防御力阻止了黄蜂。成功的蟑螂会抬高自己的身体，使脖子伸直，并用后肢多刺的脚踢黄蜂，常会多次敲击黄蜂的头部。未能做到这一点的是，抬高的“后卫”位置使蟑螂能够发现并逃避黄蜂的猛扑攻击。如果被抓住，蟑螂会用双腿挡住毒刺，使用“僵硬的手臂”防御来阻止毒刺，并用胫骨刺刺并驱除黄蜂。最后，蟑螂咬着黄蜂的腹部，刺痛了大脑。从一开始就进行积极的防御是最成功的。因此，要使蟑螂不成为僵尸，最好的策略是：保持警惕，保护自己的喉咙，并反复攻击攻击者的头部。蟑螂用双腿招架毒刺，使用“僵硬的手臂”防御力来阻止毒刺，并可以用胫骨刺刺黄蜂并使其脱离。最后，蟑螂咬着黄蜂的腹部，刺痛了大脑。从一开始就进行积极的防御是最成功的。因此，要使蟑螂不成为僵尸，最好的策略是：保持警惕，保护自己的嗓子，并反复攻击攻击者的头部。蟑螂用双腿招架毒刺，使用“僵硬的手臂”防御力来阻止毒刺，并可以用胫骨刺刺黄蜂并使其脱离。最后，蟑螂咬着黄蜂的腹部，刺痛了大脑。从一开始就进行积极的防御是最成功的。因此，要使蟑螂不致成为僵尸，最好的策略是：保持警惕，保护自己的喉咙，并反复攻击攻击者的头部。