Puppet Master: A Closer Look at How Fungus Hijacks Zombie Flies

Have you ever heard of zombie flies? These are not the creatures you see in horror films, but real-life insects that become controlled by a parasitic fungus known as Ophiocordyceps unilateralis. Let’s take a closer look at how this puppet-master fungus hijacks its host and what scientists have learned from studying it.

How the Fungus Takes Over

The fungus Ophiocordyceps unilateralis has a unique life cycle that relies on a specific species of ant. The fungus releases spores that latch onto the ant’s exoskeleton, where they begin to grow and invade the ant’s body. Once inside, the fungus begins to take control of the ant’s behavior, altering the way it moves and causing it to climb a nearby plant.

When the ant reaches a leaf, it clamps its jaws down and dies. From there, the fungus continues to grow and feed on the ant’s body, eventually sprouting a stalk that releases more spores and infects new ants. The fungus essentially turns the ant into a zombie, controlling its every movement until it dies.

The Case of the Zombie Fly

While researchers have long been aware of this parasitic relationship between the fungus and ants, they recently discovered a new host for the fungus – the fly. In a study published in the journal PLOS Pathogens, scientists found that Ophiocordyceps unilateralis can infect and control the behavior of specific species of flies, much like it does with ants.

What’s unique about this relationship is that the fungus is able to control the behavior of the fly in a way that is different from its control over ants. When the fungus infects a fly, it causes the fly to move its wings in a way that looks like a zombie dance, hence the name “zombie fly.”

Studying the Relationship

Researchers have been studying this parasitic relationship between fungus and host for years, trying to understand how the fungus takes control of its host’s behavior. Through advanced imaging techniques and genetic analysis, scientists have been able to see how the fungus invades the host’s body, alters its behavior, and eventually kills it.

They’ve also been able to identify the specific genes that are activated when the fungus takes control of the host’s brain, shedding light on the mechanisms behind this bizarre behavior. By understanding how the fungus manipulates its host, scientists hope to one day develop new treatments for diseases that affect the brain.

Conclusion

As creepy as zombie flies may seem, they offer valuable insights into the complex relationships that exist between parasites and their hosts. The relationship between Ophiocordyceps unilateralis and flies adds a new chapter to our understanding of how this puppet-master fungus works. By studying this fungal infection, scientists are unlocking new insights into the workings of the brain and the intricate ways in which organisms can be controlled.

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Summary: The fungal parasite Ophiocordyceps unilateralis has been known to turn ants into zombies, but new research shows it has the power to hijack fly behavior in a similar manner. Scientists have been studying this relationship for years in an effort to better understand how the brain works and how parasites can manipulate their hosts. By unlocking the secrets behind this bizarre behavior, they hope to develop new treatments for brain-related diseases. #TECH