One of humanity's deadliest attackers is a behavior-altering parasite

Within several weeks, the stalk shoots off spores, which turn more ants into six-legged leaf-seeking zombies. One of humanity's most deadly assailants is a behavior-altering parasite, though if it's any consolation, it's not our brains that are being hijacked. I'm talking about Plasmodium, which causes malaria. This parasite needs mosquitoes to shuttle it between hosts, so it makes them bite more frequently and for longer.