Horrifying parasitic worm snatches its host’s genes to control its mind | Live Science
Parasitic horsehair worms that dwell in the guts of praying mantises compel their hosts to walk to water and drown themselves.
Now, scientists have discovered the secret to these worms’ horrifying mind control: They steal their hosts’ genetic code.
By turning the mantises’ own genes against them, horsehair worms (Chordodes formosanus) hijack their hosts with a molecule that causes them to march toward light shimmering off water. Once their victims have hurled themselves in, the adult worms writhe free. The researchers published their findings Thursday (Oct. 19) in the journal Current Biology.
Value judgments all over the place!