Certain Fungi Create Zombies

The eerie phenomenon of the "zombie ant" is a masterclass in parasitic manipulation. When a foraging ant on the forest floor comes into contact with a spore from an *Ophiocordyceps* fungus, its fate is sealed. The spore germinates and the fungus begins to grow throughout the ant's body, creating a cellular network that hijacks its central nervous system and muscles. In a startling discovery, scientists found the fungus leaves the ant's brain itself intact. It essentially turns the insect into a puppet, forcing it to abandon its colony and march towards a location ideal for the parasite (Review)'s own reproduction.

This final journey is chillingly precise. The fungus compels the ant to climb a plant stem to a specific height—often around 25 centimeters—where the temperature and humidity are perfect for fungal growth. In its last act, the ant is forced to bite down on the underside of a leaf or stem in a "death grip" so strong it remains even after death. The fungus then consumes the ant's body for nutrients and sends a fruiting stalk bursting through its head. This stalk releases a shower of new spores onto the unsuspecting ants below, beginning the gruesome cycle again. Fossil evidence of leaf scars from this death grip proves that this microscopic puppeteer has been perfecting its craft for at least 48 million years.