There’s a genus of fungi that turns ants into zombies! . Ophiocordyceps unilateralis infec
There’s a genus of fungi that turns ants into zombies! . Ophiocordyceps unilateralis infects carpenter ants by landing on them and burrowing into their brains. . The fungus incapacitates the ant, causing it to walk erratically and fall to the ground. It then controls the ant and directs it up a tree, to about one meter above ground — conditions are ideal there for the fungus to thrive. It even controls the direction the ant faces! . The infected ant is controlled to bite down in the middle of the leafs vein where it is the strongest. The ant then dies in this position. . The fungus sprouts out of its hosts body and reproduces to continue its zombie life cycle, raining spores on unsuspecting healthy ants walking below. . Photo: Photo: Linden Gledhill . #fungus #weird #crazy #natureismetal #wild #insect #ant #science #entomology #fungi #education #learn #educational #bugs #ants #mushroom #wildlife #asia #southamerica #photo #naturephotography #macro #macrophotography https://www.instagram.com/p/B630Gsyh5w1/?igshid=184m9hu54z7ry -- source link
#fungus#natureismetal#insect#science#education#educational#mushroom#wildlife#southamerica#naturephotography#macrophotography