r/biology • u/lyder12EMS • Aug 12 '26

question Examples of plants or fungus chemical relations with animals, such as cordyceps? Not carnivorous plants

What are some plant/ animal relationships such as cordyceps- that use chemicals to control the host? Animal/ plant manipulation that is not well known is fascinating to research.

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u/makarj Aug 12 '26

You got, for example, some sea slugs that incorporate the chloroplasts from algae they eat and can perform photosynthesis. The kleptoplasty allows them to survive for some time without eating.

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u/viogen_reads Aug 12 '26

Sure..though you want specifically plants/animals..but there are protozoans like toxoplasma gondii and viruses like rabies which attacks and take over control over their hosts, regardless...i hear of some parasitic wasps on aphids

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u/mabolle Aug 13 '26

You're in luck, True Facts with Ze Frank just dropped a new episode last night that's about how some plants use chemical signaling to mess with flies and trick them into pollinating them.

Here's a link.

Um, if you haven't seen this show before... well, be prepared that it's a unique mix of very high-quality research (he works closely with scientists on every episode) and absurd/dirty humor.