Several species on Earth exist that are 'zombieing' parasites or that can turn their hosts into zombies. Apart from mushrooms as told in The Last of Us series, there are also worms and 'zombie' wasps.
Professor Rosichon Ubaidillah MPhil, PhD, a biologist from the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), explained, basically, all parasites have the same way of working, namely turning insect hosts into zombies and making the living creatures they host do anything from spreading parasites to killing them. self.
"The fungus Ophiocordyceps unilateralis requires an ant host to complete its life cycle and spread spores to attack other ants quickly, within 3-9 days for infected ants to become zombies," said Rosichon during live Eureka! Zombie attack, Monday (30/1/2023) night.
Parasitic worms
What about parasitic worms? This worm is sometimes called horsehair worm or Gordian worm (Nematomorpha parasite).
"The horsehair worm is a parasitoid of praying mantises, crickets and other insects. Its shape is similar to the nematode worm, but its morphology is different, it is denser and stiffer," explained this Pacitan-born scientist.
Parasitic worms are found in fresh waters such as rivers, lakes, ditches, then ride on insect nymphs in the water. Of the many species of worms, which are able to change the behavior of insects (praying mantises, crickets and other grasshoppers) into zombies is the genus Chordodes spp (90 spp).
Grasshoppers that have become zombies will be controlled by this parasite. Later the grasshopper will 'suicide' into the water, then the worm eggs are ready to hatch in the water and attack the young grasshopper nymphs.
Parasitic wasp
Jewel Wasp Ampulex compressa, also known as the jewel wasp, is a parasite that attacks cockroaches. He can manipulate the cockroaches' behavior, forcing them into slavery and turning them into passive hosts for his larvae.
"This wasp first paralyzes its victim with one sting, which is finally helpless in 2-3 minutes unable to walk. Then the wasp goes to make a hole to nest in," explained Rosichon.
Then the wasp comes back to do a second sting, to put poison in the cockroach's brain. Within 30 minutes, the cockroach will be completely paralyzed. After that, the wasp will drag the cockroach into the prepared hole.
"Once in the hole, the wasp lays several eggs. After the eggs hatch, the larvae will eat all the contents of the paralyzed cockroach's body," he said.
This graduate of the Department of Biology, Ibaraki University, Mito, Japan added, there are still many types of parasites that can 'create' insect zombies. Mushrooms, horsehair worms and jewel wasps are just a few of the many species.
"Many species of parasites can create insect zombies, including in Indonesia. But there are still many that have not been studied," he concluded.