are 10 of the most fascinating cases of mind control in nature.

以下將會介紹大自然裡十個會控制宿主的神奇寄生蟲。

10.)

第十：加州吸蟲

Euhaplorchis Californiensis The Euhaplorchis Californiensis is a parasite

加州吸蟲

that is primarily found in southern California.

主要分布於南加州，

These parasites live on the gut of shorebirds.

生活在水鳥的內臟裡，

Once the very tiny eggs of these parasites develop, they are released into the waters

牠們產下的卵

through the shorebirds' feces.

會順著水鳥糞便流到水裡，

These eggs will live and develop into larva if they are swallowed up by snails.

如果鳥糞被蝸牛吃掉，吸蟲卵會在蝸牛體內孵化為幼蟲，

Once the larvae reach a certain stage, they are able to escape the snails which is when

生長到一定階段後，牠們就能離開蝸牛身體，

they then find killifish.

找到新宿主─鱂魚，

They continue to live in the brain of the killifish, where the parasites begin to control

吸蟲會寄生在鱂魚大腦，

the killifish's activity.

開始控制鱂魚的行動，

Once in the brain, the mind control begins.

吸蟲跑到鱂魚大腦後，便開始對牠精神控制，

The parasites make the killifish swim to the surface of the ocean where they will swim

牠們使鱂魚游到海面，

in circles.

在水面繞圈，

This makes it easy for the shorebirds to see the killifish, catch them, and then eat them.

使得水鳥可以輕易發現並吃掉鱂魚，

Once the shorebirds have eaten an infected killifish, the cycle begins again!!

水鳥吃掉被寄生蟲感染的鱂魚後，加州吸蟲又開始另一個生命循環。

9.)

第九名：相思樹

Acacia Trees Ants and acacia trees have had a relationship

相思樹和螞蟻

for generations.

一直以來都有某種關係

For the longest time, people just assumed this is how it was and no one really looked

長久以來，人們都覺得這關係是裡所當然，

into the reasoning for this relationship.

沒有細究形成的原因，

That was until some scientists discovered that the relationship is actually more one

直到後來，科學家才發現

sided than what people have previously thought.

其實其中一方比我們想得受益更多，

On the outside, this relationship looks to be a win-win for both the ants and the trees.

乍看之下，螞蟻與相思樹都能受益，是雙贏關係

The acacia trees provide the ants with food and hollow thorns, which can be used as nests

相思樹提供螞蟻食物與

for the ants.

築巢用的中空刺，

In return, the ants protect the acacia trees from herbivores.

螞蟻則保護相思樹免於被食草動物吃掉，

Further research has shown that the ants also keep bacteria away from the leaves of the

進一步研究顯示螞蟻也保護相思樹葉

acacia trees, which helps keep the trees overall good health.

不被細菌入侵，讓相思樹能維持整體健康，

However, continued research from scientists has shown that there is a bit of manipulation

不過科學家持續探究卻發現

from the acacia trees to help keep this relationship strong.

相思樹有點在操控螞蟻以維繫關係，

It turns out that the food the ants eat from the acacia trees actually contains a chemical

相思樹給螞蟻的食物其實含有一種物質，

which will change their brain chemicals and put the ant into a defensive mode; making

會改變螞蟻的腦內化學機制，啟動防衛模式，

them more likely to protect the acacia trees.

提高螞蟻保護相思樹的機率。

8.)

第八名：蚤蠅

Phorid Flies Phorid flies are very tiny flies that love

蚤蠅體型非常小，

to take over ants.

喜歡在螞蟻體內寄生，

Over 20 species of Pseudacteon flies are known to take over fire ants in South America.

目前已知超過二十種蚤蠅會寄生南美洲的火蟻，

As an adult they are about the size of an ant's head.

成蟲體型相當於螞蟻頭部，

The female fly attacks the ant to insert anywhere from 100 to 300 of its eggs into its thorax.

雌蠅會攻擊螞蟻，注射一百至三百個卵到螞蟻胸甲內，

Once the eggs hatch, the larvae move to the head of the ant, take over their minds and

蚤蠅卵孵化後，幼蟲會移動到螞蟻頭部，

then pop off their head from the inside.

控制螞蟻心智，使螞蟻把自己的頭拉斷，

This is why they are also called ant-decapitating flies.

因此蚤蠅也稱為螞蟻砍頭蠅，

The larva keeps its host functioning and stays in the relative safety of the colony.

幼蟲讓螞蟻身體持續運作，在蟻窩安然生存，

Then when the maggot is ready, it makes the ant leave the colony and die in a humid, cool

幼蟲等到即將成熟，會使螞蟻離開窩巢，

place.

在陰濕的地方死去。

It releases a chemical that dissolves the ant's membranes, causing the ant's head

接著幼蟲會分泌化學物質分解螞蟻的薄膜，

to fall off.

使螞蟻的頭斷裂，

The larva then begins to pupate inside the head, and when it's ready, a new ant-decapitating

然後開始在螞蟻頭內部化蛹，

fly crawls out of the ant's mouth.

成蟲會從螞蟻的嘴巴爬出，

Spooky right??

很可怕對吧？

These flies are now being brought into the US to control the population of black and

人們現在會把蚤蠅帶到美國，用來控制黑火蟻與紅火蟻的數量，

red fire ants that have started to invade and cause millions of dollars worth of damage

這兩種螞蟻常常入侵農田，

to agriculture.

已造成數百萬美元的農業損失。

So if you see a bunch of severed ants heads, you'll know why!!

如果你下次看到一團螞蟻的斷頭，應該就知道原因何在。

And now for number 7 but first be sure you are subscribed before you leave.

現在要介紹第七名，不過先提醒大家離開前記得訂閱我們的頻道，

We have lots of new videos coming up! 7.)

我們之後會發很多影片。

The Alcon Blue Butterfly There is a beautiful parasitic butterfly which

第七名寄生蟲是一種很漂亮的蝴蝶，

is known to fool ants.

會誘騙螞蟻，

These butterflies are called the Alcon blue butterfly and before they turn into butterflies,

這種蝴蝶稱為霾灰蝶，幼蟲變成蝴蝶前，

they manipulate ants into taking care of them.

會操控螞蟻照顧自己，

They basically do this in the same way that the Toxoplasma Gondii parasite in mice fools

牠們用的方法

cats.

跟老鼠體內的弓形蟲誘騙貓如出一轍。

When the Alcon blue butterfly is still in the caterpillar stage, the caterpillar has

霾灰蝶還是毛毛蟲時，外皮有一種氣味

a smell on its outer coat which attracts the ants to it.

會吸引螞蟻過來，

The ants actually “taste” this smell when their antenna touches the coat of the butterfly.

用觸角「聞聞看」毛毛蟲的外皮，

This smell can actually make the ants believe that the caterpillar is one of their own larvae.

這種特殊氣味會讓螞蟻相信這是牠們的幼蟲，

The caterpillar is usually brought back to the ant colony where the ants are duped into

受騙的螞蟻通常會把毛毛蟲帶回蟻窩餵養，

feeding the caterpillars more than they feed their own- probably because they are larger

餵食量會比真正的螞蟻幼蟲還多，

and the ants think it is a super healthy larva of their own!

可能是因為毛毛蟲體型大，螞蟻覺得是非常健康的螞蟻幼蟲！

The ants are now in an evolutionary race with this butterfly species as colonies that have

現在螞蟻正和霾灰蝶以演化的方式比賽，

been duped have been changing their chemical signature so that it doesn't happen again.

因為受騙的螞蟻群落會改變化學分泌，未來不會再被欺騙，

In the meantime, the caterpillar is changing its chemical signature to dupe other species

同時霾灰蝶幼蟲也正逐漸改變自己的化學特徵，哄騙其他螞蟻物種

of ants to not deplete the population of host ants!

讓螞蟻宿主不會滅絕。

6.)

第六：鐵線蟲與蚱蜢

Hairworms and Grasshoppers A parasite known as Spinochordodes Tellinii

鐵線蟲又稱毛細線蟲

or more simply the hairworm, develops inside the grasshopper.

在蚱蜢體內生長，

The worm then slowly begins to eat all the grasshopper's internal organs, leaving just

牠會慢慢吃掉蚱蜢所有內臟，

the legs, head, and outer shell.

只剩下腳、頭、和外殼，

The worm can grow to be much bigger than the grasshopper, about three to four times bigger!!

鐵線蟲可以長到蚱蜢身長的三到四倍，

Once the parasite is fully grown, it has complete control over the grasshopper.

成熟後就能徹底控制蚱蜢，

It then brainwashed its host into a death dive into a body of water, which is something

會對蚱蜢洗腦，使牠潛到水裡，

the grasshopper would never do on its own.

這是蚱蜢平常根本不會做的事，

From there, the worm can detach itself from the grasshopper and carry on with its adventures,

鐵線蟲在水裡會脫離蚱蜢身體，繼續探險，

usually looking for a mate.

通常是找伴侶交配，

Once the worm is no longer attached to the grasshopper, the grasshopper is left to drown

鐵線蟲離開後，

and die in the waters.

獨留蚱蜢在水裡淹死。

For years, scientists have researched how and why these hairworms are able to brainwash

這幾年科學家持續研究鐵線蟲

the grasshoppers to basically commit suicide.

使蚱蜢自殺的方法。

Through their studies, researchers believe that the worm produces proteins which affect

經過研究，科學家後認為鐵線蟲會分泌一種蛋白質

the central nervous system of the grasshopper.

改變蚱蜢的中樞神經系統。

5.)

第五：弓形蟲

Toxoplasma Gondii Toxoplasma Gondii is a parasite that can actually

弓形蟲可以改變宿主行為，

change your behaviour and how you act, especially towards your cat.

尤其是貓。

It is more commonly called Toxoplasmosis, which is the name of the infection Toxoplasma

弓形蟲比較常被稱為弓蟲，

Gondii creates.

是以感染宿主造成的弓蟲症命名，

Turns out that domestic cats are the only known definitive hosts where the parasite

許多人熟知的家貓是唯一可以讓弓形蟲唯繁殖的宿主，

can reproduce and the CDC says that about 40 million people in the United States alone,

疾病管制局說美國就有大概四千萬人

may be infected and not even know it!!

可能已經無意間感染弓形蟲！

The parasite is found all over the world, but if you are a healthy adult there are almost

弓形蟲分布全世界，但如果你身體健康，

no observable symptoms but you might really, really be attracted to cats.

幾乎不會有明顯症狀，不過你可能會特別喜歡貓。

Studies have shown that rats and mice infected with Toxoplasmosis changed their behavior

研究顯示感染弓形蟲的老鼠會改變行為，

and were no longer afraid of cats, making it easier for them to get eaten, and then

不再害怕貓，因此更容易被貓吃掉，

the parasite could infect the cat and keep on spreading.

弓形蟲就可藉此感染貓、持續散播，

Once the cat is infected, their behavior starts to change and they often show more symptoms

貓被感染後，行為也會改變，

of the infection than any other warm-blooded animal or human.

症狀通常比其他恆溫動物與人類還多，

For instance, they become depressed, which effects their mood and behavior.

例如牠們會變得憂慮，影響情緒與行動，

On top of this, other symptoms of Toxoplasmosis are loss of appetite, vomiting, seizures,

此外還會食慾不振、嘔吐、癲癇、

shortness of breath, muscle weakness, and they might even become partially or completely

呼吸短促、肌肉無力，

paralyzed.

甚至會局部或全身癱瘓，

More recently toxoplasmosis has been linked to severe neurological disorders such as schizophrenia

最近的研究指出弓蟲症可能是造成嚴重神經失調的原因之ㄧ，

and bipolar disorder.

例如精神分裂症與躁鬱症。

Also people with the infection are no longer grossed out by the smell of cat urine.

感染弓形蟲的人聞到貓尿也不會作嘔，

You can catch toxoplasmosis by cleaning out a litterbox of an infected cat, eating contaminated

感染弓蟲症可能的途徑包括清理被感染的貓砂、

meat or shellfish, accidentally ingesting contaminated soil (like if you don't wash

吃受汙染的肉或貝類、意外吃進被污染的土壤 (例如在花園工作後沒有洗手、

your hands after gardening, or you eat unwashed vegetables), and from mother to child which

吃沒有洗過的菜)，若弓形蟲從母體傳染到小孩，

can cause severe birth defects.

會造成嚴重的先天缺陷。

Like I said before, for healthy adults you could go your whole life and never show any

我之前提過一般健康成人儘管感染弓形蟲，還是能安然走完一生，不會出現任何症狀，

symptoms but for people with weak immune systems and infants it can cause some serious illnesses.

不過對於免疫系統較弱的人和嬰兒可能會造成嚴重疾病。

4.)

第四名：棘頭蟲。

Spiny-Headed Worm Like the Euhaplorchis Californiensis, the

棘頭蟲跟加州吸蟲一樣

Acanthocephalans is a gut dwelling parasite.

寄生於宿主的腸道，

More simply known as the thorny-headed or spiny-headed worm, the adult worm dwells in

棘頭蟲又稱大鈎頭蟲，

the guts of a common bird known as the starling.

成蟲寄生在歐掠鳥的腸道，

This worm can vary in length as it can be several millimeters and grow up to ten centimeters

這種蟲長度不一，從幾毫米到十公分都有，

(almost four inches long).

(幾乎是四英吋長)，

Like other parasites, the worm lays its eggs inside the bird and those larvae travel out

如同其他寄生蟲，棘頭蟲會在鳥的體內產卵，

through the bird's feces.

幼蟲會隨著鳥糞排出，

From there, they look for innocent pill bugs (or roly polys) on the forest floor.

在森林地表尋找毫無警戒的潮蟲 (又稱西瓜蟲)，

When the pill bug eats the eggs unknowingly, the larvae from the spiny-headed worm starts

如果潮蟲無意間吃進棘頭蟲卵，

taking over its body and eating the pill bug from the inside out.

幼蟲會開始從內部控制和吃掉潮蟲身體，

Eventually, the worms begin to take over the pillbugs brain, and alter the brain's chemistry

最後棘頭蟲會入侵潮蟲的腦，改變腦部化學機制，

to make them love light.

讓牠們喜歡光，

Instead of hiding under rocks, which is normal behavior for a pill bug, the bug starts to

正常的潮蟲喜歡躲在石頭下，

roam around out in the open.

但被棘頭蟲控制的潮蟲會開始在戶外閒晃，

This makes the pill bug easily exposed for a bird to snatch up as food and once again,

使得潮蟲暴露在被鳥捕食的危險，

the starling's sharp eye finds them and eats them and the cycle continues.

歐掠鳥發現並吃掉潮蟲後，棘頭蟲又開始新的生命循環。

3.)

第三名：閹割藤壺。

Castrator Barnacles The castrator barnacles, more commonly known

閹割藤壺又稱蟹奴，

as the Sacculina carcini, is a parasite that grows inside a crab.

是一種生長在螃蟹體內的寄生蟲，

But as you can imagine, it's called “the castrator” for a reason.

但你可以想像，人們稱牠「閹割者」有一定原因，

The larva seek out unsuspecting crab and enters its shell from where it is the most vulnerable.

蟹奴幼蟲會找毫無防備的螃蟹，從最脆弱的部位進入殼內，

It becomes a living syringe and attaches itself into the bloodstream.

變成活體注射器，附著在血液裡，

The more the Sacculina grows, the more it takes control of the crab.

蟹奴長越大，對螃蟹的控制就越多，

Soon, the crab no longer grows, molts, digests, or reproduces.

過不了多久，螃蟹停止生長、脫皮、消化，也不再繁殖，

This is when the crab stops taking care of itself and starts taking care of the parasite

牠轉而照顧蟹奴和牠的幼體

and any offspring.

而非照顧自己，

All the crab's nourishments go into the Sacculina and its tendrils spread throughout

螃蟹得到的所有營養都會進入蟹奴的身體，

the crab, taking over body and mind.

蟹奴的根須延伸到螃蟹體內各處，控制螃蟹的身體和心智，

It castrates the crab making it no longer able to reproduce.

並且對螃蟹去勢，使之無法繁殖，

The male crab's gonads shrink, its abdomen grows in order to carry the offspring of the

雄蟹生殖腺萎縮，腹部會脹大，

Sacculina, and it stops developing its fighting claws.

以承載蟹奴的後代，螯也會停止生長，

Once the eggs are ready to be released from the crab, the crab jumps up and down in the

當蟹奴卵準備從螃蟹身體釋放出來，螃蟹會在水裡跳上跳下，

water, releasing the eggs, and then stirs the eggs around with its claws so the eggs

釋放出蟹奴卵，用螯不停攪動，

can find their own host.

讓蟹奴卵可以找到未來的宿主，

These body snatchers affect beyond their hosts and are affecting the rest of the environment.

這些身體掠奪者不僅影響宿主，也會影響周圍環境。

2.)

第二名：寄生蜂

Glyptapanteles Wasp The Glyptapanteles is a genus of wasp that

寄生蜂是一種

turn caterpillars into zombies.

可以把毛毛蟲變成殭屍的黃蜂，

The female wasps inject their eggs into caterpillars which are already alive and well.

母蜂會把卵產在健康的活毛毛蟲體內，

From there, the eggs hatch and the larvae start to grow.

卵在毛毛蟲體內孵化、幼蟲開始生長，

As they are growing, they slowly start taking over the caterpillar, feeding on its fluids

在這過程中他們會逐漸開始控制毛蟲，以毛蟲的體液維生，

and taking over its mind to turn it into a bodyguard that protects them.

並且操縱毛蟲大腦，讓毛蟲變成自己的保鑣，

The caterpillar slowly starves to death as the larvae continue to grow.

寄生蜂幼蟲持續生長，但毛毛蟲會漸漸餓死，

When they are ready, the larvae mature and gnaw their way out of its skin en masse!!

幼蟲即將成熟時，會一起咬破毛蟲的皮膚跑出來！

It is then the caterpillar dies and the wasps go on to find a new caterpillar to use as

毛蟲會因此死亡、而成蜂會尋找另一隻毛毛蟲

the host for their eggs.

當牠們卵的宿主。

In recent years, scientists have brought this life cycle into their labs for study.

科學家最近已經將寄生蜂的生命歷程帶進實驗室研究，

Through this research we have learned that they can greatly boost their chances of survival

發現寄生蜂在毛蟲體內寄生可以增加存活率，

compared to other wasps.

比其他種黃蜂多很多，

But geez, these guys are hard core.

這些傢伙也太厲害了！

1.)

第一名：半機械甲蟲

Cyborg Beetle Scientists from two different universities

來自兩個大學的科學家

have used biology to create robots that can match the agility and efficiency of animals.

利用生物原理製作敏捷度與效能堪比真實動物的機器，

The Cyborg Beetle is a little biobot that can be used for search and rescue missions

半機械甲蟲可以用於搜救任務

and as a spying tool.

或做成監視工具，

Researchers from the University of California, Berkley and Nanyang Technical University in

加州、柏克萊大學與新加坡南洋理工學院的科學家在實驗中

Singapore attached a backpack to a giant flower beetle.

在一隻體型龐大的花甲蟲裝一個晶片包，

This beetle is native to Africa and is about 2 inches long.

這種甲蟲是非洲原生種，大約兩英吋長。

They are controlled through electrical stimulation, which tells the beetle's muscles when to

科學家用電擊控制甲蟲的

move.

肌肉移動，

First, there are electrodes inserted at certain parts of the beetle's legs, flight muscles,

甲蟲腳、飛行肌與視神經葉的一部分

and optic lobes.

會被插入電極，

These electrodes are connected to the microchip backpacks, which are attached to the beetles

這些電極會連到

using organic beeswax.

用有機蜜蠟附在甲蟲身上的晶片包，

Then, the scientists use a remote control to stimulate the muscles and make the beetle

接著科學家會遠端操控，刺激甲蟲肌肉，

take off, change direction during flight, or hover.

使甲蟲起飛、改變飛行方向、或盤旋，

The first remote-controlled beetle was created in 2009, and since then scientists have continued

第一隻遠端操控的半機械甲蟲誕生於 2009 年，

to expand on the idea of Cyborg beetles.

從那時起，科學家便持續延伸半機械甲蟲的想法，

Beetles are sturdy and can carry a heavy load including electronic sensors, microphones,

甲蟲很強壯，可以背各種沉重裝置，例如電子感測器、麥克風、

thermal sensors, all kinds of things.

熱感測器等等，

Researchers argue that these beetles would be cheaper and perform better than mechanical

研究員主張使用甲蟲成本不高，

drones.

表現比無人機還要好

Now, these animal-computer hybrid robots will start to include dragonflies and cockroaches.

現在這種半機械動物的製作將會擴展到蜻蜓與蟑螂，

Cyborg beetles and could help us explore areas not accessible before, such as collapsed buildings

半機械甲蟲可以讓我們探索人類到不了的地方，

and all kinds of other things.

像是倒塌的建築物內部等等。

Thanks for watching!!!

謝謝觀看！

Hope this didn't scare you too much!!

希望你不會覺得太可怕，

See nature, is scarier than Game of Thrones sometimes!!