Short Wave The Zombies That Walk Among Us
Oct 31, 2019
Ed Yong, a dedicated science reporter at The Atlantic, shares spine-chilling tales of real-life zombies in nature. He dives into the eerie world of parasitic fungi, explaining how they manipulate insects like cicadas and ants, turning them into puppets of their will. The discussion links these fascinating biological phenomena to our cultural obsession with zombie stories. Yong also highlights the crucial roles these parasites play in ecosystems, blurring the lines between horror and essential ecological balance.
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Zombie Cicadas
- Cicadas, after 13 years underground, emerge and encounter Massospora fungus.
- The fungus consumes the cicada, making its butt fall off and replacing it with fungal spores.
Zombie Ants
- Ophiocordyceps fungus infects ants, making them climb plants and grip a leaf.
- A tube grows out of the ant's head, releasing spores onto ants below.
Parasite Prevalence
- Parasitic control is more common than people think and plays a crucial ecological role.
- Parasites, like wasps and fungi, control insect populations, preventing pest outbreaks.