Parasite turns fire ants into zombies
Yeeaahhhh....I'm waiting for this to jump species like H1N1 and turn us all into mindless, nomadic zombies. Where is my survival kit and shotgun??? Anyone who gets "Ant Flu" gets a 20 gauge to the head...
Parasites attack ants, take over
their minds
AUSTIN, Texas (KXAN) - Zombie fire ants may sound like a science-fiction movie, but they are the real deal for University of Texas, Austin and Texas A&M researchers.
Tiny parasites called Phorid flies attack fire ants, take over their bodies and turn them into walking zombies. The fly's larva begins to hatch inside the ants, eat their brains and then the ants’ heads fall off.
Their science experiments will help control the ant population.
Tiny parasites called Phorid flies attack fire ants, take over their bodies and turn them into walking zombies.
"The reason why they're called zombie ants is because they have a slightly different behavior once they're infected," said Lawrence Gilbert, Director of Brackenridge field lab.
Infected zombie ants do not get suicidal tendencies, but they do mysteriously wander away from their colony. Their deaths are truly out of a horror flick. The fly's larva begins to hatch inside the ants, eat their brains and then the ants’ heads fall off.
The sci-fi sounding attack is actually part of nature.
“When we went to South America to study parasites of fire ants we found so many different kinds,” said Gilbert.
Researchers have released four types of Phorid flies across Central Texas. They are hoping to release more. So far, they believe the results are promising.
Researchers do not think the parasites will eradicate fire ants from Central Texas for good, but they do think the Phorid flies will help to keep fire ants under control.