The ant can't resist the compulsions of the creepy Cordyceps fungus. | Our Planet

If you watch "The Last of Us” you have probably heard of the fungus Cordyceps. Cordyceps is a real parasitic fungus with hundreds of species worldwide, which takes up root in insects and other arthropods rather than soil or plants. When Cordyceps attacks a host, the mycelium (a root-like structure of a fungus) invades and eventually replaces the host tissue. Cordyceps ultimately kills its host and then grows a branch or tendril-like stalk from the body of the infected. The tendril then releases

Real life ZOMBIE BUGS 🧟 !! Cordyceps fungi can infect insects and spiders by releasing spores that attach to the host’s body, which then go through their exoskeleton, and take over their internal systems. This alters the insects behaviour, turning them into “zombies”! The fungi can guide their host to a prime location, fuse them in place, then produce their fruiting body to release spores so the cycle and continue. There are over 260 species of cordyceps found worldwide of which most are parasi

368K views · 10K reactions | Yes, the Cordyceps fungus is real—and it can destroy entire insect colonies. | National Geographic | Facebook

117K views · 2.2K reactions | Zombie fungus in Florida! This ant was taken over by cordyceps fungus, Ophiocordyceps turns ants into nature’s very own mind-controlled hosts, guiding them to spread the spores before meeting their end. A chilling reminder of how powerful and strange nature can be!  #NatureFacts #ZombieFungus #Cordyceps #Ants #FloridaNature #animaleducation #scicomm #educational | Chris Gillette | Facebook