Zombie fungus mind-controls ants and other insects

[dvg]

It was found that these mind controlling fungi infect ants and cause them to move to places where the fungus can more readily spread itself further.

This fungi was found in the rain forest of Brazil.

A stalk of the newfound fungus species Ophiocordyceps camponoti-balzani, grows out of a "zombie" ant's head.


Originally thought to be a single species, called Ophiocordyceps unilateralis, the fungus is actually four distinct species—all of which can "mind control" ants—scientists announced Wednesday.

It killed this ant and the spores are ready to spread. These fungi do not only affect ants; wasps and crickets also fall prey to this fungus.


A wasp seen here with the fungus jutting out of its body.


Crickets too can fall prey to zombie fungi (as pictured), though little is known about the fungus species that brought this insect to its horrific demise.


This information was released by National Geographic.

link to National Geographic page

Now if these fungi could join ranks with Neps, they might someday rule the jungle. ;D

dvg

[shawnintland]

Wow, amazing Nature! In Tibet there is a species of cordyceps known locally as 'yartsa gompo" that grow on/through caterpillars and which are harvested for their medicinal purposes. The market price (about $80/gram) makes them worth almost twice their weight in gold. After seeing how they emerge from insects' bodies like an alien creature hatching I did have to wonder about the 'safety' of ingesting them!
;>)

[vraev]

check out this video if you haven't seen it:

[nepenthes99]

Cordyceps fungi are very interesting. In China, they are used for many kinds of medicines.