Spotlight on Cordyceps
A Fungus using Mind Control on Ants
Entering the Ant
• Cordyceps is a genus of Sac Fungi that
is parasitic to insects
• Cordyceps spores attach to the
exoskeleton of the ant and begin to grow
into hyphae
• Hyphae grow into the ant’s body through
openings called spiracles that lead into
the tubules (trachea) of the ant’s
respiratory system
Growth and Control of Ant Behavior
• Inside the ant, hyphae grow into a mycelium,
digesting and absorbing some of the soft
tissues but sparing the ant’s organs
• When ready to produce spores, the fungus
grows into the ant’s brain and interferes with its
response to pheromones, chemicals released
for communication between ants
• If the odd behavior of an infected ant is
recognized, another ant can carry it far away
from the nest area and discard it
• If undetected, the fungus-infested ant climbs up
a plant to a leaf of a specific height and
attaches securely by its mandibles
(appendages near the mouth), to a region near
one of the leaf’s veins
Spore Production and Distribution
• Fungal growth continues inside to stabilize the
ant’s exoskeleton and outside to strengthen
attachment to the leaf. The fungus also
produces antimicrobial substances to repel
competitors.
• The fungal growth destroys the ant’s brain and a
fruiting body grows out of the ant’s head
• The fruiting body releases spores, first by
asexual reproduction but later by sexual
reproduction
• Studies have shown that the position of the ant
on the underside of leaves of a certain height
gives ideal conditions of temperature and
humidity for fungal growth and spore production
Benefits?
• Consider the ecological balance between ant
and fungus population sizes
• Consider whether the fungus can produce any
beneficial substances
– Cordycepin is chemically similar to adenosine and
shows promise as a possible anti-tumor, anti-fungal
and anti-viral drug
Questions to Answer
1. To which group of fungi does Cordyceps
belong?
2. What part of the fungus first reaches the ant?
3. Which part of the fungal body plan grows
within the body of the ant?
4. Interference with which type of chemical signal
causes the ant to climb a plant and attach to a
leaf?
Questions to Answer
5. What do uninfected ants do when
encountering an infected ant?
6. What part of the body plan of the fungus
grows from the ant’s head?
7. Are spores produced by mitosis or meiosis?
8. What are the current and future beneficial
effects to be gained from Cordyceps?