This week, see zombie fungi trapped in an amber fossil, explore the sun’s hidden south pole, meet tool-using whales that groom each other, and more.

Scientists have discovered two new species of ancient parasitic fungi preserved in amber dating back 99 million years. The fungi were growing out of the bodies of host insects that became trapped in ...

Subversion Among the ArtsThe U.S. South knows few worse pests than the tiny fire ant, an uninvited guest that came up from South America nearly 50 years ago and settled down for a long visit.The ...

A parasitic fungus transforms ants into “zombies.” Scientists say that the ant-attacking fungus is infected with fungal parasites of its own, which could be helping to keep ant zombification ...

Once the liver fluke infects the ant, several hundred parasites invade the insect’s body. Only one of these parasites will make it to the brain where it then influences the ant’s behavior.

Then, like flicking a switch, the parasite can let go of the puppet strings and the ant will be roused, dazed, and left to go about its business until the next takeover when conditions cool once more.

Parasite Controls Ants' Minds to Turn Them into 'Zombies' Published Sep 18, 2023 at 10:16 AM EDT Updated Sep 18, 2023 at 11:46 AM EDT. By .

A parasite that notoriously turns ants into “zombies” by infecting and taking control of their brains is “even more cunning” than previously thought, according to scientists.. The lancet ...

A study published in the Annals of the Entomological Society of America, offers the most detailed view to date of how this ...