"Mind-Controlled: How a Parasitic Worm Turns Ants into Zombies"
Researchers have studied the lancet liver fluke, a parasitic flatworm that turns ants into zombies, to understand how parasites manipulate host behavior. The fluke infects ants, migrates to their brain, and causes them to climb to the top of a blade of grass, where they are more likely to be eaten by grazing animals. The worms then settle in the animal's liver, lay eggs, and continue their life cycle. The study found that air temperature plays a role in the ants' behavior, with cooler temperatures triggering the ants to remain attached to the grass. Understanding parasite behavior could enhance knowledge about their sophistication and potential implications for human infections.
