BETA
Chapter 1
The silent invasion
Chapter 2
The puppet master
Chapter 3
The death grip
Chapter 4
Evolutionary warfare
YOUR GOAL
Master of The zombie ant fungus
Ch 4 · Evolutionary warfare
misslily Steer zombie ants to high leaves to learn how parasitic fungi hijack host bodies.
misslily Zombie Ant Fungus
Locked in a grip on the underside vein, growing a crown from a hijacked brain.
misslily Different species of zombie fungi exist all over the world, adapted to local climates.
misslily A secondary hyperparasitic fungus attacks the zombie ant fungus to keep its population in check.
Fun Fact
Fungal bodyguards: A second 'hyperparasite' fungus actually attacks the zombie ant fungus, saving many ants from infection.
Glossary
hyperparasite (noun)
An organism that is parasitic on another parasite. In 2012, researcher David Hughes identified a fungus that castrates the mind-controlling parasite of carpenter ants.
An organism that is parasitic on another parasite. In 2012, researcher David Hughes identified a fungus that castrates the mind-controlling parasite of carpenter ants.
Quiz
Which famous 2013 video game was directly inspired by the real-life Cordyceps fungus?
Quiz
What is the term for the collective defense behaviors ant colonies use to fight off infections?
Quiz
What is the main difference between real-life zombie fungi and the fictional version in 'The Last of Us'?
Quiz
What natural organism acts as a "hyperparasite" to keep the zombie ant fungus populations in check?
Quiz
By what percentage does the hyperparasite fungus reduce the spore-releasing capability of the zombie fungus?