Difference between revisions of "Puppeteer parasite"
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== Puppeteer Parasites in Real Life == | == Puppeteer Parasites in Real Life == | ||
[[Image:Zombie-ant-hughes-2.jpg|200px|thumb|right|Cordyceps fungus infected ant. If an infected ant reaches this stage inside an ant colony the entire colony is doomed. If | [[Image:Zombie-ant-hughes-2.jpg|200px|thumb|right|Cordyceps fungus infected ant. If an infected ant reaches this stage inside an ant colony the entire colony is doomed. If an infected ant is noticed, guard ants tend to carry it away, sometimes close to a rival colony.]] | ||
Several species of parasitic organisms can influence creatures. This includes | Several species of parasitic organisms can influence creatures. This includes fungi and a few species of flukes. Their control is generally limited, as both host and parasite have limited processing power. The final result of most of these infections is placing the victim in a position that will facilitate the reproduction of the parasite. In insects, the cordyceps fungus tends to drive the victim into place where it's spores can easily infect other insects. Cordyceps fungus can be so invasive as to be able to wipe out an entire ant colony in a matter of days. | ||
And yes ants do practice | And yes ants do practice [[biological warfare]]. | ||
[ | [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XuKjBIBBAL8 Video of the cordyceps fungus in action] | ||
== Puppeteer Parasites in Science Fiction == | == Puppeteer Parasites in Science Fiction == | ||
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*The Yerks from ''Anamorphs'' | *The Yerks from ''Anamorphs'' | ||
*The [[Drakh]] Keepers from [[Babylon 5 (series)|''Babylon 5'']] | *The [[Drakh]] Keepers from [[Babylon 5 (series)|''Babylon 5'']] | ||
*The [[Deneva Mind Parasite| parasites]] from [[TOS]] "Operation: Annihilate" | *The [[Deneva Mind Parasite| parasites]] from [[TOS]] "Operation: Annihilate!" | ||
[[Category:Science]] | [[Category:Science]] | ||
[[Category:Science Fiction]] | [[Category:Science Fiction]] | ||
Latest revision as of 18:16, 23 May 2014
A puppeteer parasite is a parasitic creature capable of commandeering control of it's host organism.
Puppeteer Parasites in Real Life
Several species of parasitic organisms can influence creatures. This includes fungi and a few species of flukes. Their control is generally limited, as both host and parasite have limited processing power. The final result of most of these infections is placing the victim in a position that will facilitate the reproduction of the parasite. In insects, the cordyceps fungus tends to drive the victim into place where it's spores can easily infect other insects. Cordyceps fungus can be so invasive as to be able to wipe out an entire ant colony in a matter of days.
And yes ants do practice biological warfare.
Video of the cordyceps fungus in action
Puppeteer Parasites in Science Fiction
Puppeteer parasites are quite common science fiction, particularly horror sci-fi.