The Real Life Zombie Fungus

Cordyceps is a fungus that hijacks the nervous systems of insects to turn them into living puppets. It forces its hosts to climb to high spots before sprouting spores from their corpses to spread infection.

This bizarre parasite infects insects like ants and slowly takes control of their motor functions. By compelling the host to find a perfect, elevated position, the fungus ensures its spores fall on as many unsuspecting victims below as possible. While it sounds like pure science fiction, this fascinating life cycle has been documented for centuries. Even beyond its creepy reputation, some varieties are highly valued in traditional medicine.