Fungus Turns Ants Into Zombies

This picture may look like an ant with antlers, but it’s actually an ant that’s infected with a fungus! This fungus, called Ophiocordyceps camponoti-balzani, is one of four fungi species that infects ants, takes over their brains, and then kills the host ant when it reaches an ideal location for the fungus to grow. The different species of fungi infect ants in different ways. “It is tempting to speculate that each species of fungus has its own ant species that it is best adapted to attack,” said study leader David Hughes, who is an entomologist (or insect scientist) at Penn State University.

See more pictures and read more about the zombie fungus on National Geographic News.

Watch a video of snail zombies on National Geographic Kids.

Photograph courtesy David Hughes

Comments

mouse22
March 4, 2011, 2:25 pm

That’s gross, but it’s also kind of cool.
laima
March 6, 2011, 9:33 am

That looks discussing
madgiemoos
March 6, 2011, 2:00 pm

Such great info………
dk4639
March 8, 2011, 5:36 am

poor ants. oh no ants will be extint
Carocuno06
March 8, 2011, 9:21 am

Can we cure the ant from this fungus?
victoria9339
March 8, 2011, 8:49 pm

Na, I don’t think so, are any of you going to take the isat this year?
victoria9339
March 8, 2011, 8:54 pm

OH GREAT another earth quake.But the picture is kind of cool! Right?
Plantastic
March 9, 2011, 11:07 am

I am growing a plant that looks acts like a zombie when you Tickle It! The Leaves fold and and even the branches move. It looks like its dead! Then 15 minutes later the leaves reopen.
alexbrulz
March 14, 2011, 12:15 pm

wat is isat, and where are they testing, this is terrible, just don’t do that in Florida please
turkey
March 17, 2011, 11:46 am

that is one cool ant.
sherlockhomies
March 17, 2011, 6:24 pm

All I have to say is G-R-O-S-S GROSS!
bustinjieber35
March 25, 2011, 9:58 pm

grooooooooooooooooooooooooosssssssssssssssss