The Cordyceps fungus is the creepiest, scariest fungus on the planet. Just watching this video creeps me out.
Basically this fungus attacks all manner of insects and after driving them crazy it kills them, eats them, and grows out of them like some kind of re-run from the movie Alien.
Seriously, this freakish spectacle from the insect kingdom is not for the faint of heart.
Is that from the Planet Earth DVD set? I just bought that for my Dad for Father’s Day. Those videos are completely amazing. This fungus though, is absolutely horrific. Could you imagine something like that that could attack a human being.
[...] Ever heard of Cordyceps fungus? It’s a fungus that attacks insects, infiltrating their body and brain — driving them mad. Eventually, it kills the insect, eats it alive and then violently breaks through its body near the head in tentacle forms, dispersing spores to infect any other insects that dare come close. My buddy John posted the scoop on this one over at One Man’s Blog — it’s interesting in so many ways. This fungus takes control of rudimentary motor functions, disorienting the insects and forcing them to walk upwards — like a puppet master. Another is that the Bullet ants realize the danger and move the infected as far away from their colonies as possible. [...]
I saw that video on Animal Planet or Discovery. It is amazing but I didn’t get he sense that the fungus controlled the mind of the ant but instead its growth affecting its ability to control its motor functions. It also mentioned that the fungus doesn’t affect every insect but there are several varieties that can affect many different species of insects. What is really scary is if it could be genetically modified to affect humans and weaponized.
Hmmm, maybe I should sell that fungus to people who have ant problems. I bought a type of snail that eats other snails and now I occasionally see my snails and don’t see the regular ones for years. Why not a fungus to take care of the ants?
Thanks for the tip about the video being gone. I found another version of it and have replaced it in this post, so now you can see it in all it’s disgusting glory! :-)
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The Cordyceps fungus is the creepiest, scariest fungus on the planet. Just watching this video creeps me out. 
Is that from the Planet Earth DVD set? I just bought that for my Dad for Father’s Day. Those videos are completely amazing. This fungus though, is absolutely horrific. Could you imagine something like that that could attack a human being.
Yeah it is from the Planet Earth series
Hmm. I’m not really certain where the video originated. I just came across it on YouTube…
[...] Ever heard of Cordyceps fungus? It’s a fungus that attacks insects, infiltrating their body and brain — driving them mad. Eventually, it kills the insect, eats it alive and then violently breaks through its body near the head in tentacle forms, dispersing spores to infect any other insects that dare come close. My buddy John posted the scoop on this one over at One Man’s Blog — it’s interesting in so many ways. This fungus takes control of rudimentary motor functions, disorienting the insects and forcing them to walk upwards — like a puppet master. Another is that the Bullet ants realize the danger and move the infected as far away from their colonies as possible. [...]
Man, this fungus is just incredible. Thanks for finding it, John!
My pleasure. :-)
I’m just glad there isn’t a version of this fungus that attacks humans. That would be not only creepy, but disgusting.
John
I saw that video on Animal Planet or Discovery. It is amazing but I didn’t get he sense that the fungus controlled the mind of the ant but instead its growth affecting its ability to control its motor functions. It also mentioned that the fungus doesn’t affect every insect but there are several varieties that can affect many different species of insects. What is really scary is if it could be genetically modified to affect humans and weaponized.
“What is really scary is if it could be genetically modified to affect humans and weaponized.”
Shhhh! John’s an ex-marine, some of his old generals might be reading the blog, don’t give them any ideas!
Amazing build up, but the video is no longer there. I was looking forward to watching that.
Thanks for the heads up. I’ve updated the link and the video is working again!
John
That is just beyond freaky. I completely have the heebie jeebies now. Oh boy, am I glad this post was brought to the surface! ;)
Hmmm, maybe I should sell that fungus to people who have ant problems. I bought a type of snail that eats other snails and now I occasionally see my snails and don’t see the regular ones for years. Why not a fungus to take care of the ants?
dude the video isnt there. ive heard of this fungus but never seen it before in action. sounds interesting and disturbing at the same time
Rob,
Thanks for the tip about the video being gone. I found another version of it and have replaced it in this post, so now you can see it in all it’s disgusting glory! :-)
John
That is really cool John. Pretty disgusting though. Thank you for showing this!