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Using Insect Electroantennogram Sensors on Autonomous Robots for Olfactory Searches

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Published on: August 4, 2014

An agent-based model shows zombie ants exhibit search behavior.

Natalie Imirzian¹, David P Hughes²

¹Department of Entomology, Pennsylvania State University, 501 ASI Building, University Park, PA 16802, USA; Center for Infectious Disease Dynamics, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA.

Journal of Theoretical Biology

|June 4, 2021

Summary

Zombie ant fungi (Ophiocordyceps sp.) manipulate ant behavior, causing them to bite vegetation before death. An agent-based model reveals simple movement changes, not complex manipulation, can explain this parasitic behavior.

Keywords:

Animal movement Fungal pathogen Individual-based model Parasite manipulation Social insect

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Area of Science:

Ecology
Behavioral Ecology
Mycology

Background:

Parasites are known to alter host behavior, potentially as a byproduct or through active manipulation.
The 'zombie ant fungus' (Ophiocordyceps sp.) induces distinct behaviors in ants, leading to death while attached to vegetation.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the mechanisms behind parasite-induced behavioral changes in ants.
To model the movement patterns of fungal-infected ants before death.
To test hypotheses regarding directed manipulation versus natural behavioral alterations.

Main Methods:

Development of an agent-based model to simulate ant movement.
Incorporation of altered movement parameters (e.g., increased turning rate) into the model.
Analysis of simulated host trajectories from nest to vegetation.

Main Results:

The model successfully predicted infected ants moving from the nest to the underside of leaves.
Simulated increases in turning rate, within normal ant behavior, were sufficient to guide hosts.
Results suggest parasitic benefit can arise from exploiting natural host behaviors.

Conclusions:

Parasitic manipulation of host behavior may evolve through simple alterations rather than complex, directed control.
The Ophiocordyceps fungus may leverage natural ant movement patterns for its own propagation.
This study challenges hypotheses of highly directed parasitic manipulation in zombie ants.