"Zombie Fire Ants Wander In Texas"

Yes, I admit it, I posted this only because I love the teaser headline:

But now the researchers are trying a tiny phorid fly, native to a region of South America where the fire ants originated. Researchers have learned that fire ants in their home region are kept under control by as many as 23 phorid species.

The flies lay eggs on the fire ants, and the eggs hatch into maggots inside the ant and eat away at the pest's tiny brain.

"There is no brain left in the ant, and the ant just starts wandering aimlessly," said Rob Plowes, a research associate at the University of Texas at Austin.

Soon, the ant's head falls off - and a new fly emerges ready to attack another fire ant.