3 HN users recommended this documentary3 months2017–2026score 3
Years with an HN recommendation, 2007–2026
HN links it as the quick introduction to zombie-ant fungi whenever the topic comes up.
A three-minute clip from BBC's Planet Earth narrated by David Attenborough about Cordyceps, the fungus that infects insects and takes over their behavior. It shows an infected ant and its demise.
“For anyone else not familiar with cordyceps fungi, here's a three-minute clip from BCC Planet Earth” (HN, 2019)
There is a 3-minute video from BBC Planet Earth showing an infected ant and its demise. [this video] It is like watching the Alien scene, except this is real.
Short clip showing a fungus-infected ant and its demise.
Fungi can be very potent. There is a form of fungi called Cordyceps that invade the brains of ants and change their behavior in a way that increases its spread. Here's a clip by Attenborough explaining it best: [this video] They even made a movie about this jumping to humans called "The Girl with all the Gifts"
Attenborough explains fungus controlling ant behavior.
>I often see one ant carrying another That might not be an act of kindness toward the carried ant. It could be banishment from the colony to prevent the spread of fungus: [this video]
Shows fungus-infected ants, possibly explaining ant carrying behavior.
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