9 replies to this topic

[Thunder_Birds]

So, in biology class today we learned about Protists, and Fungi is classified in the family of Protists. And our teacher told us that there is this Fungus called, Ophiocordyceps Unilateralis that apparently can grow off of ants, which gets into their brain, and turns them into "Zombie Ants." Thought that was interesting.  

[NickAnter]

Yep, a common Eastern Camponotus, Camponotus chromaiodes can be infected by these Cordyceps fungi.

[Kaelwizard]

I think many people on here know about that. Thank God it doesn't happen in captivity. I mean, maybe it can, but I don't think it has happened before.

[antsandmore]

I think many people on here know about that. Thank God it doesn't happen in captivity. I mean, maybe it can, but I don't think it has happened before.

I'm pretty sure it can happen if the fungus happens to be brought along inside dirt or any other substrate/media that can be housing the certain species of ants. But yes, thankfully it is very rare.

[KitsAntVa]

is it green and a blueish color by chance?

[Thunder_Birds]

is it green and a blueish color by chance?

Not sure, but like brown or white? It like grows out of the ant like a little tree. 

[KitsAntVa]

I have cultured some fungus that thrives in moist environments-soil in test tube that apparently like lasius claviger of all species, its a nice blue green color and I actually am keeping it, I say it likes lasius claviger because I had the same soil in a different test tube and that did not occur.

[steelplant]

I grew some cordyceps a couple of years back. It never got beyond the petri dishes thankfully but was freakish looking stuff. I destroyed it so it couldn't infect anything.

[gs5248]

Good idea, Though corticeps is pretty specialized, and usually won't infect more than a specific species of ant.

[steelplant]

I remember it did fruit (produce mushrooms) in the petri dishes. As long as it gets the right nutrition, it doesn't actually need an insect. Not sure if that happens in the wild though.