"Dawn and Dusk: When Ants Fall Victim to Brain-Altering Parasites"
Researchers from the University of Copenhagen have discovered that the lancet liver fluke, a parasitic flatworm, can control the behavior of ants it infects in a more sophisticated way than previously believed. The parasite manipulates the ants to climb up blades of grass during cool morning and evening hours, making them more likely to be eaten by grazers. The researchers found that temperature plays a crucial role in the parasite's control over the ants, with the infected ants clinging to the grass when it's cool and crawling back down when it gets hot. This study sheds light on the influence of parasites on animal behavior and highlights the importance of understanding this hidden world of creatures.