Cordyceps Fungi

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Cordyceps not only kills its prey, but also brainwashes the host to climb before dying.

The humid and dense rainforest provides an ideal environment for parasitic fungi, such as those of the genus Cordyceps to thrive. These fungi primarily target insects, including ants, moths and their larvae. When a spore lands on a suitable insect host, it germinates and penetrates the exoskeleton of its unfortunate victim. Once inside, the fungus takes control of the host's nervous system, influencing it to seek an elevated position, such as the underside of a leaf in the lower canopy, rather than remaining on the forest floor. This behavior ensures more effective dispersal of the fungus's spores. Eventually, the fungal fruiting bodies emerge from the dead insect, as depicted in the photo.

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