Okay so “zombie fungus” is perhaps not 100% accurate seeing as it controls its victims whilst they are still alive but still.
Ophiocordyceps Unilateralis is a type of tropical fungus that infects small insects such as ants, moths and beetles. Its spores will infiltrate the body of the insect and find their way to its brain, where they will then force the forsaken creature to start to move against its own will, climb up the stem of a plant, and then sink its mandibles into a leaf.
The fungus then destroys the muscle structure in such a way that the insect will be locked in place on the leaf, while the fungus slowly kills it and spore releasing mycelia burst from its shell. This process has the capacity to wipe out entire ant colonies and even conquer larger foes such as tarantulas, leaving nothing but ghostly husks of the insects that once were. That said, the fungus can produce some interesting colours, creating striking images of these mutated corpses.
Here are a few examples of the scary yet strangely beautiful state Cordyceps leaves its victims in:
☛ More Insects: Weird Gross Insects
Cordyceps Ant
A Cricket Infected With Cordyceps Fungus
A Beetle Infected With Cordyceps Fungus
