Sep 13, 2013 9:30 AM

Gallery: Absurd Creature of the Week: The Zombie Ant and the Fungus That Controls Its Mind

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Polyrhachis armata
A spiny ant, *Polyrhachis armata*, from Thailand biting a rainforest leaf following infection by the fungus *Ophiocordyceps unilateralis*. The large stalk and two spore-producing bodies are visible. *Image and caption courtesy David Hughes.*
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02
Camponotus leonardi
A Thai carpenter ant, *Camponotus leonardi*, once manipulated and killed by the brain-manipulating fungus *Ophiocordyceps unilateralis*. The fungus is in prime condition with three large spore-producing bodies straddling the stalk. Spores are launched from these to infect other ants. (Recent research is revealing that each infected ant species has its own species of fungus attacking it, though you'll notice *Ophiocordyceps unilateralis* is targeting two different species in this gallery. In the future these two fungi will be given their own unique names.) *Image and caption courtesy David Hughes.*

03
Camponotus leonardi
The head of a Thai carpenter ant, *Camponotus leonardi*, once manipulated and killed by the brain-manipulating fungus *Ophiocordyceps unilateralis*, is now colonized by hyperparasitic fungi that are specialized to consume *Ophiocordyceps unilateralis*. The remnant fungal stalks of *Ophiocordyceps unilateralis* are visible growing under the hyperparasite (white). *Image and caption courtesy David Hughes.*
04
Camponotus leonardi
A Thai carpenter ant, *Camponotus leonardi*, once manipulated and killed by the brain-manipulating fungus *Ophiocordyceps unilateralis*, is now colonized by hyperparasitic fungi that are specialized to consume *Ophiocordyceps unilateralis*. *Image and caption courtesy David Hughes.*

05
Camponotus rufipes
A Brazilian carpenter ant, *Camponotus rufipes*, biting a leaf with the fungus *Ophiocordyceps camponoti-rufipedis* just beginning its growth out of the ant's body. The fungus grows through soft areas at the joints. The stalk can be seen forming and eventually will become longer than the ant's body and will be used to shoot spores to continue the cycle anew. *Image and caption courtesy David Hughes.*
06
Camponotus balzani
A Brazilian carpenter ant, *Camponotus balzani*, biting a leaf with the fungus *Ophiocordyceps camponoti-balzani*. This is a recently discovered species infecting this ant. *Image and caption courtesy David Hughes.*

07
Camponotus balzani
A Brazilian carpenter ant, *Camponotus balzani*, biting a leaf with the fungus *Ophiocordyceps camponoti-balzani*. This is a recently discovered species infecting this ant. *Image and caption courtesy David Hughes.*
08
Camponotus balzani
A Brazilian carpenter ant, *Camponotus balzani*, biting a leaf with the fungus *Ophiocordyceps camponoti-balzani*. This is a recently discovered species infecting this ant. *Image and caption courtesy David Hughes.*

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