Zombie fungus forces ants to bite leaves before killing them

A fungus transforms ants into real-life zombies, controlling their behavior for parasite reproduction.

The infected ant moves randomly before falling from elevated vegetation to the ground.

It then bites firmly into a leaf vein, locking its jaws in a death grip.

This position allows the fungus to grow and release spores for infecting other ants.

Other parasites also manipulate animal behavior to complete their life cycles.