Скачать или смотреть The Incredible Fungi That Turns Ants Into Mindless Zombies

The life cycle of the fungus Ophiocordyceps unilateralis is a remarkable and somewhat unsettling example of parasitism. It begins when the spores of the fungus land on an ant. These spores are equipped with special enzymes that enable them to penetrate the ant’s exoskeleton and invade its body.

Once inside, the fungus starts to grow and spread throughout the ant's internal systems. The fungal cells take control of the ant’s central nervous system, releasing chemicals that disrupt normal brain function and alter the ant’s behavior.

Under the influence of these chemicals, the infected ant exhibits abnormal behavior. It leaves its nest and climbs to a high point on a plant. Once there, the ant bites down onto the vegetation, anchoring itself in place. This behavior, known as the “death grip,” is critical for the fungus’s reproductive success.

As the fungus continues to develop, it produces structures called sporangia, which eventually burst from the ant’s body. These sporangia release a large number of new spores into the environment. The released spores can then infect other ants, continuing the cycle of infection.

This extraordinary process highlights the fungus’s ability to manipulate its host’s behavior to ensure its own propagation, demonstrating a unique and fascinating aspect of parasitic relationships in nature.