The natural world continuously amazes me. I'm filled with a constant sense of wonder at how amazing and complex and frightening the world around us is. This weekend I was watching the jungle episode of Planet Earth and became soon fascinated by a fungus that it mentioned called cordyceps. Of course, I had to investigate!!!
Essentially, the cordyceps is a parasitic fungi that includes around 400 species. Many of these species are specialized to affect a certain type of organism. According to Wikipedia,
"The generic name Cordyceps is derived from the Latin words cord, meaning "club", and ceps, meaning "head"
When a cordyceps fungus attacks its host, the vegetative part of the fungi will begin to invade and actually replace the tissue of the host itself, taking it over and bursting through its body- resulting in, well... THIS
(All images found on Google)
Isn't that insane? Insanely cool.
Some cordyceps also have the ability to affect their host's behavior to ensure survival. Many forms of cordyceps will cause their host to wander away from its home and find an area that is perfect for fungal growth. The insect will then climb a nearby plant and attach itself to the plant. It will then die and the fungus will send out its little sprouts as pictured above.
MIND. CONTROLLING. FUNGI.
Also crazy- many species of cordyceps are used medicinally today. Sweet, huh?
Essentially, the cordyceps is a parasitic fungi that includes around 400 species. Many of these species are specialized to affect a certain type of organism. According to Wikipedia,
"The generic name Cordyceps is derived from the Latin words cord, meaning "club", and ceps, meaning "head"
When a cordyceps fungus attacks its host, the vegetative part of the fungi will begin to invade and actually replace the tissue of the host itself, taking it over and bursting through its body- resulting in, well... THIS
Isn't that insane? Insanely cool.
Some cordyceps also have the ability to affect their host's behavior to ensure survival. Many forms of cordyceps will cause their host to wander away from its home and find an area that is perfect for fungal growth. The insect will then climb a nearby plant and attach itself to the plant. It will then die and the fungus will send out its little sprouts as pictured above.
Also crazy- many species of cordyceps are used medicinally today. Sweet, huh?
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