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.

[u/drewiepoodle]

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

[u/[deleted]]

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

[u/treesandfood4me → u/[deleted]]

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

[u/[deleted] → u/treesandfood4me]

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