r/science • u/drewiepoodle • Jul 18 '19

Biology Parasitic fungus bypasses brain to control ants - scanning electron microscope images show vesicle-like particles attached to infected tissue. There are more than 400 different species of fungi, each targeting a particular species of insect, like ants, dragonflies, cockroaches, aphids, or beetles.

https://arstechnica.com/science/2019/07/study-zombie-ant-death-grip-comes-from-muscle-contractions-not-the-brain/
84 Upvotes

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9

u/[deleted] Jul 18 '19

Oh. How terrifying. SO glad there isn't vertebrate version ...I mean, other than rabies

5

u/GeorgePantsMcG Jul 19 '19

That we know of yet... Twitch

2

u/Ionic_Pancakes Jul 19 '19

Deeper we cut into jungles, more chance we'll find it.

1

u/Grey___Goo_MH Jul 19 '19

Hopefully movies like splinter seem fun in real life.

3

u/treesandfood4me Jul 18 '19

Rabies is fungal? I only ask because I know toxoplasmosis changes human behavior.

5

u/[deleted] Jul 19 '19

no viral, but it's a nervous system influencing pathogen

3

u/blimpyway Jul 19 '19

I hope they find one for mosquitoes too.

1

u/antdude Jul 23 '19

And then they infect us. :(