Fruiting bodies of the parasitic fungus Ophiocordyceps emerge from
the body of a fly in Tambopata National Reserve, Peru.
the body of a fly in Tambopata National Reserve, Peru.
While some members of the parasitic fungus genus Ophiocordyceps seek
out insect hosts, this species, O. caloceroides, takes up residence
in spiders, such as this tarantula photographed in Ecuador.
out insect hosts, this species, O. caloceroides, takes up residence
in spiders, such as this tarantula photographed in Ecuador.
Fruiting bodies of a member of the parasitic Gibellula genus poke out
from the exoskeleton of a spider that the fungus devoured
from the inside out.
from the exoskeleton of a spider that the fungus devoured
from the inside out.
Nature is horror, as the saying goes. We are fortunate that there are no fungi which do this to animals of our own type. Not on this planet, ate least.
ReplyDeleteWeird and bizarre....
ReplyDeleteScary but true, making of a good Sci-Fi movie.
ReplyDeleteInfidel - I totally agree!
ReplyDeleteAttack of the Fungi. Sounds like a 1950's science fiction flick.
ReplyDeleteFascinating but scary, sort of.
ReplyDeleteinteresting and fascitating!
ReplyDelete