Zombie Fungus.

People around the world are always interested in the mystery of the rainforest, and its great biodiversity. However, scientists have discovered four new species of fungi in the rainforest's of Brazil. These are not just any kind of fungi. These fungi attack specific species of insects, here we will look at ants. At the University of Pennsylvania, Assistant Professor David Hughes found that the species Ophiocordyceps unliateralis was found to live on four different species of carpenter ants. Once infected, the ants will show signs of infection is about one week. These signs are related to a "zombie effect." The ants are disoriented, confused, and there minds are slowly being taken over. The infection target the ants brain and forces the ant to go up. The research involved found that most ants will climb and attach to a plant at about 9.8 inches above the ground. The humidity was found to be around 95 percent. These are the ideal environmental conditions for the fungus to grow and spread. The infection uses the height and wind to help carry the fungus to other hosts. It is interesting how the fungus uses the ant to find the ideal spot that the fungus can grow. After reaching the idea spot, the ant will attach with its mandibles to the plant, and die. The fungus will begin to grow right out of the head of the ant. It can take about three weeks for the fungus to completely grow. After reaching its maximum growth, spores will open and release tiny fragments of the infection. Any ant(s) found in the vicinity are at great risk of infection. This is a great population control. If any ant species becomes to large or to powerful, it is at greater risk of becoming infected with the fungus, thus lowering its population. The fungus itself can kill entire colonies of ants, making it a very effective population control. Any ideas of this being a good pest control? The article states it would most likely not be ideal since the fungi are only effective to particular species and need perfect environmental conditions to grow.


Text source: Osborne, Darren. "Deadly Fungus Turns Ants into Zombies." Discovery News. Discovery Communications. 3 Mar. 2011. Web. 13 May. 2011.

Video Source: FreeScienceLectures. "Cordyceps Fungus." Youtube. 3 May. 2007. Web. 13 May. 2011.