● Covered by 1 source · 1 reportLow impact1 neutral
Parasitic zombie-ant fungus found to thrive in mosses, suggesting a second life stage
Key points
- Cordyceps fungus DNA found in both infected insects and surrounding mosses.
- This indicates a second life stage for the fungus within mosses.
- The moss stage may be an adaptation for survival when insect hosts are few.
- It could explain why infected insects bite moss before dying.
Cordyceps Fungus Discovered in Mosses
Recent DNA analysis has shown that the parasitic Cordyceps fungus, known for its ability to infect and control insects, also exists within mosses. This finding, published in the journal IMA Fungus, indicates a previously unknown aspect of the fungus's life cycle.
Potential Evolutionary Adaptation
The presence of Cordyceps in mosses suggests a second life stage where the fungus resides in plant material. This could be an evolutionary adaptation, allowing the fungus to persist and survive during periods when its primary insect hosts are not readily available. It may also explain the observed behavior of infected insects, which often bite into mosses during their final moments.
Mechanism of Insect Infection
Cordyceps fungi infect specific insect species, such as ants, by attaching spores that then germinate and spread through the host's body via mycelia. The fungus manipulates the insect's behavior, compelling it to climb and clamp its jaws onto a plant before slowly consuming it. The fungus then sprouts from the insect's head, releasing more spores.
Prior Research on Fungal Control
Previous studies have explored how Cordyceps controls its hosts. Research in 2017 found that fungal cells form an interconnected 3D network, effectively isolating the insect's brain and controlling its behavior. A 2019 study further clarified that the fungus does not directly attach to the brain but instead damages the membrane covering jaw-muscle fibers, causing strong contractions that lead to the characteristic death-grip bite.
✨ This summary was generated by AI from the outlets' reporting listed below. It is not independently verified and may contain errors — check the original sources. How BrevFeed works →
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Reporting from
DNA analysis revealed that the parasitic Cordyceps fungus, known for infecting insects, also lives within mosses. This discovery suggests a previously unknown life stage for the fungus, potentially allowing it to survive when insect hosts are scarce and explaining why infected insects bite into moss during their final stages.