Full Text:
This Paltothyreus tarsatus is foraging on something infected by Ophiocordyceps australis, a fungus that can act as a parasite of insects and kills or seriously disables them. This ‘zombie fungus’ infects its hosts and takes over its brain. The complete process leading to mortality takes 4-10 days and ends once the insect moves to a location ideal for the fungi to grow and spread their spores.
Image credit: David Hughes
