Absurd Creature of the Week: The Parasitic Worm That Turns Crickets Into Suicidal Maniacs

The some 350 known species of horsehair worms invade insects. After developing for several months, the worms mind-control their hosts to make a kamikaze dive into water, and then escape through holes bored in the insect's exoskeleton. The parasites end up in a tangled knot that can be as heavy as the tattered---and oftentimes very much alive---host they leave behind.

















from WIRED » Science http://feeds.wired.com/c/35185/f/661470/s/3afbff7f/sc/10/l/0L0Swired0N0C20A140C0A50Cabsurd0Ecreature0Ehorsehair0Eworm0C/story01.htm

via Science News