The fungus that turns ants into 'zombies' by affecting their muscles and controlling their movements like a puppeteer

The idea of a fungal parasite that infects ants to turn them into zombies by controlling their behaviour may sound like an idea from a science fiction blockbuster. But the terrifying behaviour happens in reality, and a new study has shed light on the gruesome phenomenon.

Scientists found that the parasite controls the ant through its muscles, without having to infect its brain. Researchers describe this behaviour as 'like a puppeteer pulling the strings to make a marionette move.

14th November 2017