{
  "id": 10727761,
  "title": "Parasites that steer nocturnal hosts into water do not rely on lunar cycles, study finds",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/29/parasites-that-steer-nocturnal-hosts-into-water-do-not-rely-on-lunar",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-09-29T16:20:10.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Phys.org",
    "slug": "phys-org",
    "url": "https://phys.org/news/2026-09-parasites-nocturnal-hosts-lunar.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Researchers at Kyoto University have discovered that nematomorph parasites, commonly known as horsehair worms, manipulate their nocturnal arthropod hosts into water without relying on lunar cycles. These parasites, also called hairworms, enter their hosts' body cavities and reproduce in the water. Some species induce positive phototaxis, where hosts are attracted to horizontally polarized light reflected on water. The researchers hypothesized that water-entry behavior in infected nocturnal hosts might be more prevalent during the full moon and less common during the new moon. However, their study found that camel crickets entered the water on both full- and new-moon dates. Salmonid fish ingested more crickets at night than during the day, but there was no significant difference between full- and new-moon nights. The researchers suggest that nematomorphs may use manipulation strategies less dependent on light conditions, such as altered geotaxis (response to gravity) or increased locomotor activity. Further investigation into different nematomorph lineages could reveal various mechanisms that trigger similar host behaviors with contrasting biological rhythms.",
  "summary": "Like many parasites, nematomorphs are known to manipulate their hosts' behavior to complete their life cycles. Also known as horsehair worms, among other names, these creatures develop in their hosts' body cavities and lure their terrestrial arthropod victims into the water, where the parasites reproduce. Some species have even been observed to induce positive phototaxis, attracting the host…",
  "key_points": [
    "Horsehair worms manipulate nocturnal hosts into water without lunar cycles.",
    "Camel crickets entered water on both full and new moon dates.",
    "Parasites may use manipulation strategies less dependent on light conditions."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}