Zombie Ants Controlled by Fungus

[parasearchers]

In a bizarre parasitic death sentence, a fungus turns carpenter ants into the walking dead and gets them to die in a spot that's perfect for the fungus to grow and reproduce.

Scientists have no clue how the fungus takes control of the brains of ants so effectively. But a new study in the September issue of the American Naturalist reveals an incredible set of strategies that ensue.

The carpenter ants nest high in the canopy of a forest in Thailand, and they trek to the forest floor to forage. The fungus, Ophiocordyceps unilateralis, prefers to end up on the undersides leaves sprouting from the northwest side of plants that grow on the forest floor, the new study showed. That's where temperature, humidity and sunlight are ideal for the fungus to grow and reproduce and infect more ants.

Once infected by the fungus, an ant is compelled to climb down from the canopy to the low leaves, where it clamps down with its mandibles just before it dies.

http://parasearcher.blogspot.com/2009/08/zombie-ants-controlled-by-fungus.html

[derby378]

1. I've heard of a similar fungal infection...

...where the infected ant is isolated from the rest of the colony to die. Whether by force or by choice, I do not recall, but apparently there is some level of understanding in ant colonies that the corpse of an infected ant is not to be messed with.

[izquierdista]

2. The search is on!

Let us search far and wide for Ophiocordyceps conservativalis , which causes its conservative host to clamp down on its favorite issue, just before it lays down and dies.

[ZombieHorde]

3. If there is a god in heaven this fungus will turn people into zombies as well. nt

[parasearchers]

4. one can only hope! :)

[Posteritatis]

5. Life is weird. (nt)

[Orsino]

6. I think it explains the town-hall riots. n/t