Parasites appear frequently in biology-inspired fiction from ancient times onwards, with a flowering in the nineteenth century.[1] These include intentionally disgusting[2] alien monsters in science fiction films, often with analogues in nature. Authors and scriptwriters have, to some extent, exploited parasite biology: lifestyles including parasitoid, behaviour-altering parasite, brood parasite, parasitic castrator, and many forms of vampire are found in books and films.[2][3][4][5] Some fictional parasites, like Count Dracula and Alien's Xenomorphs, have become well known in their own right.
- ^ "Parasitism and Symbiosis". The Encyclopedia of Science Fiction. 10 January 2016.
- ^ a b Guarino, Ben (19 May 2017). "Disgusting 'Alien' movie monster not as horrible as real things in nature". The Washington Post.
- ^ Glassy, Mark C. (2005). The Biology of Science Fiction Cinema. McFarland. pp. 186 ff. ISBN 978-1-4766-0822-8.
- ^ Moisseeff, Marika (23 January 2014). "Aliens as an Invasive Reproductive Power in Science Fiction". HAL Archives-Ouvertes: 239.
- ^ Williams, Robyn; Field, Scott (27 September 1997). "Behaviour, Evolutionary Games and .... Aliens". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 30 November 2017.