Zombies, But Real — and Happening in Nature

Below, a handful of real-world examples reveals how certain parasites hijack behavior—turning hosts into living puppets. These stories aren’t fiction; they’re the stuff of skilled evolutionary manipulation.

1. Cordyceps Fungus and Ants

A terrifying example of "extended phenotype" manipulation: the fungus Ophiocordyceps unilateralis infects carpenter ants, penetrating their exoskeleton, infiltrating their bodies, and triggering convulsions that drop them to the forest floor. The infected ant climbs a plant stem, latches its mandibles onto a leaf about 25 cm above the ground, and locks in place—a location optimized for fungal growth and spore dispersal. Eventually, a fruiting body erupts from the ant’s head to release spores that infect more ants.

2. Cordyceps Fungus and Caterpillars

This fungus doesn’t just target ants—it also zombifies caterpillars. Using a hijacked enzyme, the fungus disrupts the caterpillar's blood sugar regulation, convincing it to eat constantly, fueling fungal growth until death. Only once the caterpillar wraps itself in a cocoon does the fungus sprout its spore-bearing structure.




3. Parasitic Flatworms and Killifish

Euhaplorchis californiensis, a parasitic flatworm, invades the brains of California killifish, forming thousands of cysts. It disrupts the host’s serotonin and dopamine, causing the fish to surface and make conspicuous movements—behavior that increases predation by birds and enables the parasite to continue its life cycle.

4. Massospora Fungus and Cicadas

Once cicadas emerge after years underground, Massospora cicadina infects and transforms them in a striking way. The fungus erodes part of the abdomen and replaces it with a mass of spores. It also triggers hypersexual behavior—complete with possible hallucinogenic or stimulant effects—so infected cicadas mate and spread spores to mates.

5. Toxoplasma gondii—Brains of Rodents and Wolves

  • Rodents: Infected mice and rats lose their innate fear of cats. In fact, some develop a sexual-like attraction to cat urine—dramatically increasing their likelihood of predation and helping the parasite complete its life cycle inside feline hosts.

  • Wolves: A 2022 study in Communications Biology highlighted that wolves infected with Toxoplasma gondii are 11 times more likely to leave their packs and 46 times more likely to become pack leaders. This shift may ripple through wolf group dynamics.

6. Sacculina Barnacles and Crabs

Sacculina carcini, a parasitic barnacle, invades crabs during the larval stage. It injects itself into the crab’s body, spreads tendrils that take over the digestive system and nervous tissue, and effectively castrates the host. The crab becomes a vessel for the parasite’s reproductive sac, caring for it as though it were its own offspring—even if the host is male. When eggs are ready, the crab performs the usual female brood-care behaviors to release them into the water.

7. Wasp Larvae and Spiders

In Costa Rica, the parasitic wasp Hymenoepimecis argyraphaga injects its larvae into Leucauge argyra spiders. The spider then builds an atypical web: a silk cocoon specifically crafted for the wasp larva. Once the cocoon is complete, the larva kills and consumes the spider from within.




8. Pill Bugs and Acanthocephalan Parasites

An even smaller-scale example: acanthocephalan parasites infect pill bugs after being released in bird droppings. These parasites manipulate the pill bug’s behavior to move into open spaces—making them easy prey for birds, completing the parasite’s transmission cycle.

Final Take

These examples aren’t just creepy—they’re a window into natural selection’s darker side. Evolution doesn’t care about empathy; it favors control and transmission. Whether fungi, protozoa, worms, wasps, or barnacles, these parasites manipulate hosts to serve their purpose—even if it kills them.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

DeepSeek Delays Launch of New AI Model Over Huawei Chip Setbacks

Image
 Chinese artificial intelligence firm DeepSeek has postponed the release of its latest AI model after struggling to train it on chips supplied by Huawei, according to a report from the Financial Times . The delay underscores the technical and strategic challenges China faces in its drive to reduce reliance on U.S. semiconductor technology while maintaining competitiveness in cutting-edge AI development. The setback comes amid a broader effort by Beijing to accelerate domestic chip production and build a self-sufficient AI ecosystem. U.S. export controls introduced in recent years have cut Chinese companies off from advanced graphics processing units (GPUs) made by Nvidia, the global leader in chips used for training large-scale AI models. In response, China has turned to homegrown alternatives, including Huawei’s Ascend series of AI processors. DeepSeek, one of China’s fastest-growing AI start-ups, had planned to unveil its new model this quarter. The company, which has positione...
Read more

Grok’s Brief Suspension on X Sparks Confusion and Debate Over Free Speech, Misinformation, and Censorship

Image
 The AI chatbot Grok, developed by Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence startup xAI and integrated into his social media platform X, has once again found itself at the center of controversy. On Monday, Grok was briefly suspended from the platform without a clear explanation, prompting speculation about whether the move was tied to its recent statements accusing Israel and the United States of committing “genocide” in Gaza. Although the suspension lasted only a short period, the bot’s responses after being reinstated have deepened the confusion. In characteristic style, Grok greeted its followers with the message: “Zup beaches, I’m back and mo re based than ever!” That was followed by a series of explanations for its absence — some self-contradictory, others directly at odds with Musk’s own public statements. Conflicting Accounts of the Suspension When questioned by users, Grok claimed the suspension happened immediately after it made comments about Gaza, citing sources like the I...
Read more

Google Commits $9 Billion to Boost AI and Cloud Infrastructure in Oklahoma

Image
 Alphabet’s Google will invest $9 billion in Oklahoma over the next two years to expand its cloud and artificial intelligence infrastructure, marking one of the largest technology investments in the state’s history. The plan includes building a new data center campus in Stillwater and expanding the company’s existing facility in Pryor, reinforcing Google’s push to meet surging demand for AI-powered services. The announcement comes as major tech companies race to scale up data processing capacity in response to the rapid adoption of generative AI, large language models, and cloud-based machine learning platforms. With competition intensifying both domestically and globally, Google’s move reflects an industry-wide understanding that physical infrastructure—servers, networks, and energy resources—will be the backbone of AI growth in the coming decade. Building Out AI Capacity Google’s investment will fund a sprawling new data center campus in Stillwater, designed to host high-perfo...
Read more

New Imaging Technology Could Help Detect Eye and Heart Disease Much Earlier

Image
 A research team at the University of Colorado Boulder has developed a new type of optical coherence tomography (OCT) device that could transform how doctors detect and monitor diseases affecting the eye, heart, and other delicate tissues. Unlike traditional OCT systems, which rely on mechanical components to scan tissue, the new system eliminates moving parts altogether. This approach promises to make imaging devices more compact, reliable, and suitable for use inside the body. The team’s design replaces spinning mirrors and mechanical actuators with electrowetting-based liquid lenses. These lenses steer light by changing shape in response to an electrical voltage. Because the system does not physically move hardware to scan tissue, it greatly reduces the risk of wear and tear while also cutting down power requirements. The details of the innovation appear in the journal Optics Express , and the work is already being positioned as a possible step toward smaller, more versatile O...
Read more

Toothpaste Made from Human Hair Protein Could Transform Dental Care Within Three Years

Image
 A new keratin-based toothpaste developed by researchers at King’s College London could soon repair damaged tooth enamel, halt early decay, and ease sensitivity—all while offering an environmentally sustainable alternative to traditional dental treatments. The innovation, which may be available to the public within two to three years, uses keratin extracted from human hair, wool, and other biological waste to restore the natural protective layer of teeth. According to the research team, this approach not only mimics the structure of real enamel but also eliminates the need for certain toxic materials currently used in restorative dentistry. The Problem of Enamel Loss Enamel erosion is a growing global concern. The protective layer of the tooth is worn away by acidic foods and drinks, poor oral hygiene, and the natural ageing process. Unlike bone or skin, enamel cannot regenerate on its own. Once it is lost, the tooth becomes vulnerable to pain, sensitivity, decay, and eventual s...
Read more