this post was submitted on 05 Apr 2025
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Mycology

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The first thing this fungus does to its newly infected victim is to take over the insects mind. A zombie is created. the insect is forced to climb up and up. Eventually stopping, it latches on as tight as possible to the nearest branch. The insect will never move again.

Now the processes can really start, the fungi fully devours the insect interior. using the energy gathered, long spore producing structures are extruded out of the insects body.

like little ships sailing to colonise new land, thousands of spores float away on ever drifting air currents. the cycle continues

Found in New Zealand

Tree species: rimu, Dacrydium cupressinum

Wasp species: german wasp, Vespula germanica

Fungus species: genus and species currently unknown by me, any info would be much appreciated.

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[–] psyspoop@lemm.ee 11 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

The correct term is entomopathogenic instead of carnivorous. Species might be Ophiocordyceps humbertii

[–] nettle@mander.xyz 5 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

Sorry for getting that wrong, I'll update it to say parasitic rather than carnivorous. Looks like it might be that species. thank you! Will check on it tomorrow to see how its developed

[–] psyspoop@lemm.ee 5 points 2 weeks ago

Haha parasitic is a much better word to use for laypeople

[–] kamenlady@lemmy.world 5 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)
[–] marduk 3 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

Indeed, but which one is the mystery for me

[–] pseudo@jlai.lu 5 points 2 weeks ago

Wahou! I know about the type that eat ants and snails but I never guess other animal could be affected. Thanks for sharing.

[–] Smokeydope@lemmy.world 3 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago)

Thanks for sharing this beautiful photo! I sometimes notice flies infected with cordycepts their behavioral patterns change completely as they attempt to find a high place to latch on to. Hope it never evolves to take over people like a last-of-us zombie that would must be an awful experience.

[–] nihilist_hippie@lemmy.ca 3 points 2 weeks ago

Evolution refined this process 🤯

[–] ShimmeringKoi@hexbear.net 3 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

I wonder how it feels? Feverish probably, but how aware are you? Are you horrified and locked in, or does the fungus do the kindness of lobotomizing you?

[–] acockworkorange@mander.xyz 4 points 2 weeks ago

Probably like rabies, I think. Which is to say, absolutely horrifying and terrible.

[–] Realitaetsverlust@lemmy.zip 2 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

I didn't want to see this in my feed today tbh.

[–] nettle@mander.xyz 1 points 2 weeks ago

Sorry :( here's a baby fern to hopefully make you happier