Zombie Ants Manipulated by Lancet Liver Fluke: Temperature Triggers Behavior Changes

Ants infected with the lancet liver fluke are manipulated into life-threatening situations in order to complete the fluke’s life cycle, according to new research from the University of Copenhagen. The study revealed that temperature serves as a trigger for the ants’ behavior. In cooler temperatures, infected ants attach themselves to grass blades to increase their chances of being eaten by grazers. As the temperature rises, the ants climb down to protect themselves from the heat. The lancet liver fluke possesses a temperature-driven “zombie on/off switch,” controlling when the ants cling to grass or seek shelter. The researchers also discovered that only one out of the hundreds of flukes inside an infected ant controls the brain, while the rest await transmission in the abdomen. The findings shed light on the sophisticated manipulation tactics employed by parasites and the significant role they play in the food chain.