Shrimp hemocytes release extracellular traps that kill bacteria.

•Shrimp hemocytes produce extracellular traps (ETs) similar to those produced by mammalian neutrophils.•Shrimp extracellular traps were triggered by PMA, LPS and Escherichia coli.•Shrimp extracellular traps catch live E. coli.•Shrimp hemocyte extracellular traps are not deployed in response to WSSV stimulation.•E. coli was permeabilized and killed by hemocyte ETs.