The mushroom that kills ants is the zombie-ant fungus, specifically Ophiocordyceps unilateralis.
Understanding the Zombie-Ant Fungus
Ophiocordyceps unilateralis is a fascinating and somewhat gruesome example of a parasitic fungus. Here's a breakdown:
- Classification: It belongs to the order Hypocreales.
- Target: It primarily infects carpenter ants (genus Camponotus), though it can affect other ant species as well.
- Location: This fungus is largely pantropical, meaning it's found in tropical regions around the world.
How the Fungus Kills Ants
The Ophiocordyceps unilateralis doesn't just kill ants; it manipulates their behavior first:
- Infection: The fungus infects the ant.
- Behavioral Changes: The fungus alters the ant's behavior, causing it to leave its colony and seek out a specific location suitable for the fungus's growth and reproduction. Typically, this involves the ant clamping down on a leaf vein in a humid environment.
- Death Grip: The ant uses its mandibles to tightly grip the leaf vein (or other substrate), securing itself in place. This is known as the "death grip."
- Fungal Growth: After the ant dies, the fungus grows through its body and eventually sprouts a fruiting body (stroma) from the ant's head.
- Spore Dispersal: The stroma releases spores to infect more ants, continuing the cycle.
