Spiders ravaged by Parasitic Fungi

Though I’m not sure if all these fungi are the same species, fungi in the Gibellula genus seem to attack arachnids in particular.

Unidentified, genus Gibellula

The discovery sheds light on how the fungus can force the ant to behave in any way it chooses, as the insides of the host are transformed into fungal cells. “Fungal cells were found throughout the host body but not in the brain, implying that behavioral control of the animal body by this microbe occurs peripherally,” the paper explains. “Additionally, fungal cells invaded host muscle fibers and joined together to form networks that encircled the muscles. These networks may represent a collective foraging behavior of this parasite, which may, in turn, facilitate host manipulation.”

“In essence, these manipulated animals were a fungus in ants’ clothing,” David Hughes, senior author of the work, says. “Normally in animals, behavior is controlled by the brain sending signals to the muscles, but our results suggest that the parasite is controlling host behavior peripherally. Almost like a puppeteer pulls the strings to make a marionette move, the fungus controls the ant’s muscles to manipulate the host’s legs and mandibles.”

An example of insect-attacking fungus

These photos were taken by a family member. Parasitic fungi, from what I’ve found in this area, usually attack flies, spiders, and moths. These fungi often has a very strange affect on these insects. Giving them a melted appearance.

Fungi: Unidentified, family Cordycipitaceae

host: genus Asota

The caterpillar-attacking fungus

Of course this isn’t the only kind, but it’s native to this area (Far North Queensland).

Metarhizium rileyi

Flies ravaged by Parasitic Fungi

An example of how a fungus can attack a fly can be seen in this video. *However the fungi pictured above would be different species entirely

complex Entomophthora muscae

Ophiocordyceps dipterigena

Unidentified