Ophiocordyceps unilateralis

Ophiocordyceps unilateralis, commonly known as zombie-ant fungus, is an insect-pathogenic fungus, discovered by the British naturalist Alfred Russel Wallace in 1859, and currently found predominantly in tropical forest ecosystems. Called Ophiocordyceps unilateralis sensu lato, the fungus actually infects the ants' muscles—not their minds—which causes them to hyper-contract and move around. "The term 'zombie ant' is a reference to the fact that the ant essentially becomes a vehicle by which the fungus can grow and reproduce," Colleen A. The fungus Ophiocordyceps camponoti-floridani can infect ants and manipulate their behaviour in a way that is beneficial for fungus growth and transmission. These infected ants are also called zombie ants. Influenced by the fungus, the ants climb to a high point and bite into a branch, attaching themselves until death.

Scientific name: Ophiocordyceps unilateralis

Higher classification: Ophiocordyceps

Rank: Species

Order: Hypocreales

Family: Ophiocordycipitaceae

Kingdom: Fungi