With the TARDIS missing, the Doctor, Ian and Vicki are captured by the Zarbi, huge ant-like creatures controlled by the parasitic alien Animus. Meanwhile, Barbara runs into a group of Menoptra, butterfly-like creatures that have been driven from their home planet by the Animus, but who now plan to return with an invasion force. But the Zarbi know their plans and are waiting for the Menoptra, accompanied by their lethal larvae guns. Will the Menoptra succeed against the mind-controlling Animus? This novel is based on a Doctor Who story which was originally broadcast from 13 February-20 March 1965. This title features the first Doctor as played by William Hartnell with his companions Barbara, Ian, and Vicki.
Born in South Australia in 1918, Bill Strutton worked as a clerk before joining the Australian army during World War 2. He served in the Middle East and later in Greece. Captured by the Germans in Crete, he spent several years as a prisoner of war. After the war, Strutton came to live in England where he pursued a career writing. He worked as a journalist as well as writing novels and television scripts. Strutton’s only script for Doctor Who was The Web Planet, commissioned in late 1964 and broadcast in 1965. He died on 23 November 2003, the day of Doctor Who's 40th anniversary, aged 85 years.