Horror, Sleaze and Trash.

Mind-Controlling Fungus

Cordyceps is a type of parasitic fungus that, different from some other “beneficial” parasites, doesn’t exactly have its host’s best interests at heart. Once it takes hold inside an insect’s body, it alters the host’s neurology to such an extent that it starts behaving differently.

You can think of them as making zombies, because that’s more or less what they do. When the time is ripe, Cordyceps directs its victim to a spot where it’s most likely to release as many spores into the airstream as it can muster. Usually, this means making an ant or beetle climb up into a plant and then hold it there in what’s been described as a “death grip”.

At this point, a mycelium-like stem can start to grow out of the host animal, drawing from its rapidly decaying body for nutrients until finally, Cordyceps can release its spores to blow freely into the wind, and into the brains of another unlucky ant. (Source)