When a Mind Is Not Its Own: Mechanisms of Host Behavior Control by Parasitic Fungi

Many animal parasites can alter the behavior of animals in ways that benefit their own fitness. Insects are a frequent target for behavior manipulation by various parasites, especially fungi. Despite many decades of observing altered behavior in insects parasitized by fungi, our understanding of the mechanisms underpinning this behavior manipulation remains largely incomplete. This chapter explores our current understanding of the mechanistic basis of behavior manipulations by these so-called zombie fungi, key considerations in continuing to make progress in our understanding, and where I think the next advances will come.