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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I didn’t want to see this in my feed today tbh.
Sorry :( here’s a baby fern to hopefully make you happier
The correct term is entomopathogenic instead of carnivorous. Species might be Ophiocordyceps humbertii
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
Haha parasitic is a much better word to use for laypeople
Wahou! I know about the type that eat ants and snails but I never guess other animal could be affected. Thanks for sharing.
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?
Probably like rabies, I think. Which is to say, absolutely horrifying and terrible.
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.
The lovely Cordyceps?
Indeed, but which one is the mystery for me
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Evolution refined this process 🤯
![Parasitic Fungus Eating German Wasp [oc]](https://mander.xyz/pictrs/image/caceceee-806b-4e4b-a488-b78135a503f2.jpeg){kind=link}