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Last of Ants

Short answer: Ophiocordyceps unilateralis is a parasitic fungus, now treated as a species complex, that infects carpenter ants in tropical forests. An infected ant leaves its colony, climbs vegetation and bites down on a leaf vein in a 'death grip', usually at a height and humidity that suit the fungus.

The fungus then kills the ant, grows a stalk from the back of its head and releases spores onto ants foraging below. Research led by David Hughes found the fungus spreads through the ant's body and muscles, while the brain largely stays free of fungal cells, so the control seems to work through the muscles and chemistry rather than by occupying the brain. The fungus is popularly known as the 'zombie-ant fungus'. The footage shows infected ants and fungal growth.

VideoWrite-up1 sources
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What should you know about Last of Ants?

Quick facts. Each one stands alone and has a stable ID you can cite.

  1. It infects carpenter ants in tropical forests.

    DD-103-F01 · Write-up · Exhibit A (Carpenter ants)

  2. Infected ants bite down on a leaf vein.

    DD-103-F02 · Write-up · Exhibit B (Death grip)

Video transcript: Last of Ants: A Fungus Makes Ants Climb to the Perfect Spot to Die

Ophiocordyceps a genus of parasitic fungi has the ability to infect and manipulate the behavior of insects. DID YOU KNOW? Cordyceps Unilateralis primarily targets ants. After infection the fungus takes control of the ant's central nervous system compelling it to leave its colony and climb vegetation. The ant then attaches itself to a leaf or twig, and the fungus k***s the ant. The fungus then sprouts a stalk-like structure from the ant's head releasing spores to infect more ants on the ground below. This intricate manipulation of host behavior showcases the remarkable strategies fungi can employ for their survival and reproduction. NOW YOU KNOW!

Burned-in captions, read frame by frame (see transcript.md) · 32.7s Reel ·

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Last of Ants: A Fungus Makes Ants Climb to the Perfect Spot to Die Instagram Reel · · 32.7s

The write-up

A fungus makes ants climb to the perfect spot to die. Ophiocordyceps then grows a stalk from the ant's head to rain spores.

  1. Exhibit A

    Carpenter ants

    It infects carpenter ants in tropical forests.

  2. Exhibit B

    Death grip

    Infected ants bite down on a leaf vein.

  3. Exhibit C

    Spore stalk

    A stalk grows from the head and releases spores.

  4. Exhibit D

    Muscles, not brain

    The fungus invades muscles; the brain stays largely free of it.

  5. Exhibit E

    Species complex

    It's now treated as a complex of many species.

Questions people ask about Last of Ants

Which ants does it infect?

In tropical forests.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (Carpenter ants) · Wikipedia: Ophiocordyceps unilateralis

What does the infected ant bite?

The 'death grip'.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (Death grip) · Wikipedia: Ophiocordyceps unilateralis

Where does the stalk grow from?

Then spores fall.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (Spore stalk) · Wikipedia: Ophiocordyceps unilateralis

Which tissue does the fungus invade heavily?

The brain stays largely free.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit D (Muscles, not brain) · Wikipedia: Ophiocordyceps unilateralis

How is it now classified?

Many related species.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit E (Species complex) · Wikipedia: Ophiocordyceps unilateralis

Test Your Knowledge

All quizzes →

5 questions, all from this case file. Answers are revealed instantly.

  1. Which ants does it infect?

    1. Carpenter ants
    2. Fire ants
    3. Army ants
    4. Leafcutter ants only
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. Carpenter ants In tropical forests. Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (Carpenter ants) · Wikipedia: Ophiocordyceps unilateralis

  2. What does the infected ant bite?

    1. A leaf vein
    2. Another ant
    3. The soil
    4. Its queen
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. A leaf vein The 'death grip'. Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (Death grip) · Wikipedia: Ophiocordyceps unilateralis

  3. Where does the stalk grow from?

    1. The ant's head
    2. Its legs
    3. Its abdomen
    4. Its antennae
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. The ant's head Then spores fall. Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (Spore stalk) · Wikipedia: Ophiocordyceps unilateralis

  4. Which tissue does the fungus invade heavily?

    1. Muscle
    2. The brain only
    3. Bone
    4. Feathers
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. Muscle The brain stays largely free. Source: Write-up · Exhibit D (Muscles, not brain) · Wikipedia: Ophiocordyceps unilateralis

  5. How is it now classified?

    1. As a species complex
    2. As a virus
    3. As a plant
    4. As a bacterium
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. As a species complex Many related species. Source: Write-up · Exhibit E (Species complex) · Wikipedia: Ophiocordyceps unilateralis

Cite this case file

Easterling, Marcus. "Last of Ants." The Detail Department (DetailEnjoyer), case file DD-103, last updated Dec 1, 2023. https://detailenjoyer.com/case/last-of-ants/

Permalink: https://detailenjoyer.com/case/last-of-ants/ · Last updated

Markdown version

Cite a single fact by its ID, for example DD-103-F01 → https://detailenjoyer.com/case/last-of-ants/#DD-103-F01