What Are Some Examples of Host Manipulation Through Toxins?
One well-documented example involves the parasitoid wasp, which injects toxins into its host, often a caterpillar. These toxins can suppress the host's immune system and manipulate its behavior to protect the wasp's larvae. Another example is the zombie ant fungus, which releases chemicals that alter the ant's behavior, causing it to climb to a high point before the fungus kills it, ensuring optimal spore dispersal.
