Ophiocordyceps unilateralis, commonly known as zombie-ant fungus, [2] is an insect-pathogenic fungus, discovered by the British naturalist Alfred Russel Wallace in 1859. Zombie ants, infected by the Ophiocordyceps unilateralis fungus, are predominantly found in tropical rainforests.

Dec 9, 2024 · zombie-ant fungus, (Ophiocordyceps unilateralis), species of parasitic fungus of the order Hypocreales that infects ants and alters their behavior before killing them. The fungus is largely pantropical and primarily infects carpenter ants (genus Camponotus).

Jan 30, 2025 · A zombie fungus sounds like something straight out of science fiction; however, a fungus like this isn’t new to science. Another fungus species, Ophiocordyceps unilateralis infects ants in the Amazon rainforest and takes control of their bodies. However, the fungus leaves the brain untouched. Instead, it controls the ant’s limbs and forces ...

3 days ago · The story of the "zombie ants" led to a number of zombie-fungus themed books, as well as the hugely popular The Last of Us video game. The game, ...

3 days ago · The fungus benefits from zombie-fying its host and driving it into more open areas. This helps the fungus better disperse its spores to reproduce and spread. In the case of the cave spiders ...

Jan 25, 2023 · These fungal parasites act as puppeteers, commanding and positioning the zombies to infect entire communities. It’s the premise of “ The Last of Us,” a video game series and now a show on HBO,...

Jan 30, 2023 · Ophiocordyceps unilateralis, otherwise known as cordyceps or zombie-ant fungus, infects insects such as ants or spiders. Like other parasites, cordyceps drains its host completely of nutrients...

Apr 18, 2019 · Researchers think the fungus, found in tropical forests, infects a foraging ant through spores that attach and penetrate the exoskeleton and slowly takes over its behavior.

Feb 5, 2023 · In the post-apocalyptic world of “The Last of Us,” a rapidly spreading pandemic—in which a mutated Cordyceps fungus morphs people into zombie-like “infected”— besieges humanity.

Nov 14, 2017 · When the fungus infects a carpenter ant, it grows through the insect’s body, draining it of nutrients and hijacking its mind. Over the course of a week, it compels the ant to leave the safety...