Fungi Have Been Zombifying Insects Since the Age of Dinosaurs

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As a gamer immersed in the Jurassic Park universe, I’ve learned firsthand that the prehistoric world is a lethal playground. Every foliage-covered bush conceals a beast, while corners hide creatures armed to the hilt, just waiting for an opportunity to tear me apart. The latest installment, Jurassic World Rebirth, only reinforces this chilling truth.

In the time of towering dinosaurs, I wasn’t just the fear of massive predators that kept prehistoric creatures on their toes. Recent findings reveal that even insects faced a chilling threat – a parasitic fungus capable of zombifying them!

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Did you know that some mushrooms have the ability to conduct electricity? This fascinating property could potentially save astronauts from harmful radiation during space travel. Moreover, recent discoveries reveal that spores of certain fungi can reanimate after centuries, demonstrating their resilience to almost any condition!

These undead mushroom spores, reawakened from a long slumber, show just how adaptable and durable fungi truly are. This remarkable trait could lead to groundbreaking advancements in protecting astronauts from dangerous radiation exposure during space missions. By harnessing the electricity-conducting properties of these extraordinary organisms, we might be able to create an unparalleled radiation shield for our brave explorers venturing beyond Earth’s protective atmosphere.

Two new species of parasitic fungi uncovered in 99-million-year-old amber

Two recently discovered ancient fungi, named Paleoophiocordyceps gerontoformicae and Paleoophiocordyceps ironomyiae, were found embedded in amber. These fungi had controlled an ant and a fly respectively before being fossilized. Similar to the modern Ophiocordyceps, or the ‘zombie ant fungus’, which inspired the game ‘The Last of Us’, these ancient species display similar characteristics.

Scientists examined fossils using optical microscopes, studying both the fungi and the insects they had affected. They then employed X-ray microcomputed tomography to construct 3D representations of the specimens for a closer inspection. Utilizing their discoveries, the research team determined where these newly identified species belonged in the broader tale of fungal evolutionary history.

Upon examining the attributes shared by these ancient organisms and modern Ophiocordyceps, scientists discovered both similarities and distinctions that link them to the same genus while distinguishing them as distinct species. The researchers propose that Ophiocordyceps emerged during the early Cretaceous period (approximately 145 – 100 million years ago), around the time these amber fossils were created. It’s believed that Ophiocordyceps initially affected beetles, and then spread to butterflies, moths, bees, and ants by the middle of the Cretaceous era. Today, a variety of Ophiocordyceps species exist, each one tailored to a specific insect host.

How parasitic fungi control their hosts to reproduce and spread

As a fungus enthusiast, I can’t help but share my fascination with Ophiocordyceps unilateralis, often referred to as the zombie fungus. Unlike a typical encounter, this doesn’t start with a bite but rather a soft landing of a spore on an ant’s hard shell. This seemingly harmless spore then employs a clever strategy, employing enzymes and pressure to penetrate the ant’s exterior, eventually reaching its juicy insides for a meal.

As a captivated observer, I find myself witnessing an extraordinary spectacle. A fungus has infiltrated an ant’s body, taking over most of its tissues, yet preserving the essential systems that sustain life. Remarkably, this tiny creature is still alive, but it’s no longer guided by its own instincts; instead, it’s under the command of an uninvited intruder. It disregards the scent messages from its colony and is drawn towards higher ground. A twig, stem, or tall grass blade serves as its new destination. Once it reaches a suitable height, it fastens itself in place with its jaws and eventually succumbs to its fate.

It’s not entirely clear how the fungus manages to influence the ant’s actions, but it seems to prefer higher ground for its final act. In time, a growth emerges from the ant’s head, dispersing spores into the surroundings that can potentially infect other ants.

The specific method through which the fungus manipulates the ant’s behavior remains uncertain, but it seems to favor higher locations for its climactic event. Eventually, a structure sprouts from the ant’s head, scattering spores into the vicinity to potentially contaminate other ants.

It’s unlikely that Ophiocordyceps fungus will infect humans as it thrives best in insects and cannot withstand the high temperatures of a human body. This is good news for us since this type of fungus has been successful for over 100 million years, suggesting it’s not going to disappear anytime soon.

Experience the new release of Jurassic World: Rebirth in cinemas currently. Grab your tickets here! Additionally, stream the Jurassic Park and Jurassic World series on Peacock right now.

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2025-07-03 22:17