Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Parasites That Can Control Insect Minds

Posted by ScuttleMonkey on from the welcome-yet-another-overlord dept.

Ant writes to tell us that NewScientist is running an article about an interesting parasite that apparently has the power to 'brainwash' its host. From the article: "The parasitic Nematomorph hairworm (Spinochordodes tellinii) develops inside land-dwelling grasshoppers and crickets until the time comes for the worm to transform into an aquatic adult. Somehow mature hairworms brainwash their hosts into behaving in way they never usually would - causing them to seek out and plunge into water."

8 of 335 comments (clear)

  1. Parasites Controlling Insects? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

    This could explain George W. Bush...

    1. Re:Parasites Controlling Insects? by henni16 · · Score: 4, Funny

      This could explain George W. Bush...
      But it said the host will seek out water, not oil.. ;)

    2. Re:Parasites Controlling Insects? by henni16 · · Score: 5, Funny

      Hey! That was my joke, but now thwat I see that you've been modded down, you can have it.

      Yeah, it seems those brain control parasites are more common as one might think.. ;-)

    3. Re:Parasites Controlling Insects? by Bedouin+X · · Score: 4, Funny

      Bush? Nah this sounds more like a woman to me.

      --
      Dissolve... Resolve... Evolve...
  2. And the story is submitted by karvind · · Score: 4, Funny
    by Ant :)

    Sorry couldn't help it.

  3. When asked for comment... by The+Breeze · · Score: 4, Funny

    An "interested observer", was asked to comment on the ramifications of the mind-controlling insects. The observer simply looked at the reporter and said, "KHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAN!"

  4. Behold the evolution of...... by jjh37997 · · Score: 4, Funny

    Behold the evolution of the Goa'uld!

  5. Re:intelligent design. by ameline · · Score: 4, Funny

    These spores have clearly been designed by His Noodlyness. There is truly no limit to what He can do with merely the wave of His Noodly Appendage.

    Ramen.

    --
    Ian Ameline