Parasitic worms 'manipulate' mantises onto asphalt roads, say researchers

Behavior-Manipulating Parasites and Pathogens

• Multiple examples discussed: Guinea worm, toxoplasma, rabies, horsehair worms, cordyceps, lancet liver fluke.
• Concern that strong behavior-altering parasites in humans would be detected and eliminated; subtle effects (e.g., suggested increased affection toward cats from toxoplasma) seen as more plausible.
• Some imagine hypothetical STDs that increase promiscuity; commenters note current STIs mainly cause unpleasant, discouraging symptoms.

Human Parasites and Public Health Responses

• Guinea worm lifecycle and eradication efforts described in detail, including behavioral manipulation (forcing people into water via painful blisters).
• Intervention “hacks” the lifecycle by using closed water containers so emerging worms release larvae into disposable water instead of open sources.
• For STIs, social stigma is said to perversely increase risky behavior; normalization of testing/treatment is framed as harm reduction.

Mechanisms, Cognition, and “Free Will”

• Rabies “hydrophobia” debated: is it primarily pain on swallowing plus panic, or a more specific fear of water? Both behavioral and neurological symptoms are cited.
• Lively argument over whether panic is learned vs instinctive, and whether pain alone can induce panic.
• Broader worry that cognitive and personality traits (religiosity, moral views, “political views”) may be shaped by pathogens or brain disorders, with links to epilepsy and psychosis.
• Drugs (SSRIs, birth control, food scarcity) also noted as behavior-modifying, blurring lines between “natural” and “manipulated” behavior.

Other Species: Insects, Mantises, Turtles

• Mantises’ attraction to horizontally polarized light is linked to horsehair worms’ need for water; mechanism of how the worm tweaks existing polarization vision remains unclear.
• Other parasite strategies: insects climbing plants to be eaten by birds; ants climbing grass for liver flukes; cordyceps making insects clamp onto branches.
• Artificial lighting misguides sea turtle hatchlings; some propose using AI/ML and drones to predict hatching and guide them, while others object to “AI” being injected into every topic.

Microbiome, Diet, and “Memetic” Parasites

• Speculation that gut microbes or yeast might drive sugar cravings; some say this is a serious research avenue, others call its status “not known” but plausible.
• Ideas and ideologies are likened to biological parasites (memes) that spread by altering host behavior, sometimes with lethal consequences.
• Recommended reading: books on parasites and extended phenotypes, plus various pop-culture portrayals (sci-fi, games, TV).