Entangled Life

Recently I started reading Entangled Life by Merlin Sheldrake and one thing that stuck with me is the Carpenter Ants and their relation with a family of fungi Ophiocordyceps.

Now the world of fungi and how they affect our lives is amazing. As a kid I remember there was a sensational story of few ladies dying after eating some wild mushrooms that turned out to be poisonous. The more you read about the world around that is not visible the more you realize that humans are nothing special but play a small role in the who ecosystem.

 Zombie Carpenter Ants

Zombie carpenter ants and fungi are two fascinating creatures that are part of a complex and interconnected ecosystem. These ants and fungi are known for their unique abilities to manipulate each other to their advantage, creating a fascinating dance of life and death. In this blog, we will explore the biology and behavior of zombie carpenter ants and fungi, and examine how they interact with each other to create a unique symbiotic relationship.

Carpenter ants are a species of ants that are known for their ability to tunnel into wood and create galleries for their nests. These ants are generally considered to be a nuisance because they can cause damage to buildings and other structures. However, there is a subspecies of carpenter ants that have a more interesting story to tell. These ants are known as zombie carpenter ants, and they have a relationship with a particular species of fungus that is truly remarkable.

The fungus that infects zombie carpenter ants is known as Ophiocordyceps . This fungus infects the ants as they forage for food and slowly takes control of their bodies. Once infected, the ant will become a zombie, and its behavior will change dramatically. The ant will leave its nest and climb to the top of a blade of grass, where it will die and its body will be taken over by the fungus. The fungus will then grow a stalk from the ant’s body, which will produce spores of fungal spores. These fragments will then infect other ants, spreading the fungus to new hosts.

Picture of a Carpenter Ant dead with sprouting of pore from its body (Book Entangled Life)

The relationship between zombie carpenter ants and Ophiocordyceps unilateralis is considered to be a symbiotic one. While the fungus benefits from the ant’s body, providing a platform for the fungus to grow and spread, the ant also benefits from the relationship. This is because the fungus infects the ant’s brain, manipulating its behavior to ensure that it will leave its nest and provide a suitable environment for the fungus to grow.

The relationship between zombie carpenter ants and fungi is a complex one, and scientists are still working to understand the exact mechanisms involved. However, it is believed that the fungus manipulates the ant’s behavior by controlling the release of neurotransmitters in the ant’s brain. This allows the fungus to control the ant’s movements and ensure that it will leave its nest and climb to the top of a blade of grass. Once the ant has died, the fungus can then use its body as a platform for growth, spreading its spores to new hosts.

While the relationship between zombie carpenter ants and fungi is fascinating, it also has practical implications. Scientists are studying the behavior of these ants and fungi in order to better understand how diseases spread and how to control them. For example, researchers are exploring the potential for using Ophiocordyceps unilateralis as a natural pest control agent. This is because the fungus can infect and control the behavior of ants, causing them to leave their nests and providing a platform for the fungus to grow. This could be used as a way to control ant populations, without the use of harmful chemicals.

Whether you are a scientist, nature enthusiast, or just interested in the workings of the natural world, zombie carpenter ants and fungi are sure to captivate your imagination.

Mind Altering Behavior

Mushroom use by humans is thousands of years old and their effect on human behavior has been know since then. If you have heard about the drug LSD, the compound was extracted from a fungi. Now whenever you see people becoming zombies or turning into gods you may attribute to some mind altering fungi playing a role 🙂