Zombie Fungus (Ophiocordyceps) on Cicada Nymph

A bit crusty, but so cool! Ophiocordyceps is a pathogenic fungus that infects a host, grows through the insect's cuticle, and basically hijacks its "brain".

**I have a fairly large collection of natural curiosities and decided to share some on JungleDragon. I have been collecting bits of nature for years and also have many friends who have shared things with me. Everything in my collection was ethically collected/harvested/sourced and is cruelty-free.

comments (6)

Ferdy Christant

Lion

A proper curiosity, nice! Posted 4 years ago
1. Christine Young
  
  Lion
  
  Thanks! Wouldn't it be so cool to see a time-lapse video of the fungus slowly taking control and growing through the insect's exoskeleton?! Posted 4 years ago
2. 1. Ferdy Christant
    
    Lion
    
    Posted 4 years ago
  2. 1. Christine Young
      
      Lion
      
      Whaaat?! I should have known such a video would exist! Thanks for sharing <3. Posted 4 years ago
    2. 1. Ferdy Christant
        
        Lion
        
        Welcome, it's stunning, right?
        
        I'd like to specifically call out the fact that the time-lapses having a moving perspective. That's extraordinarily difficult to pull off. It surely is mechanized, but still...lots of things can go wrong. Posted 4 years ago
      2. Christine Young
        
        Lion
        
        Yes! It's so cool that I squealed when watching it. My kids totally didn't understand. Posted 4 years ago

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