Planthopper phylogeny, with information on which symbionts result in which clades

We surveyed ~150 species across the taxonomic diversity of #planthoppers (Hemiptera: Fulgoromorpha). We found the ancient nutritional symbionts Sulcia and Vidania in most species—often alongside additional microbes (unless replaced by #Ophiocordyceps).

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Ophiocordyceps sinensis - Wikipedia

I had never heard of this fungus before. Fortunately, H2G2 has an informative writeup:

👉 en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ophioco...

Cc: #mycology, #Ophiocordyceps, #Yarsagumba

Primeiro registro de Ophiocordyceps humbertii (Ascomycota) para a Bahia e novas ocorrências para a funga conquistense | Paubrasilia Copyright (c) 2025 Joanderson Prado-Santos, Cecília Oliveira de Azevedo, Gabriel Chaves Soares, Ellen Heitmann de Queiroz, Claudenir Simões Caires

Primeiro registro de Ophiocordyceps humbertii (Ascomycota) para a Bahia e novas ocorrências para a funga conquistense

#Ophiocordyceps
#Ascomycota
#FungadaBahia
#Mata-de-cipó
#PlanaltodaConquista
#Semiárido

periodicos.ufsb.edu.br/index.php/pa...

Zombies are real. You’ve seen them! The Real-Life Zombie Apocalypse Zombies are real. You've seen them in movies and TV shows... but you've been looking for them in the wrong species. Meet the Ophiocordyceps fungus. It’s not a disease; it's a puppeteer. When a microscopic spore lands on an unsuspecting ant, it begins a hostile takeover. It infiltrates the ant's body and brain, releasing chemicals that seize control of its central nervous system.

What's the wildest example of nature's dark side you've ever heard of?

Share it in the comments, and follow for more secrets from the wild.

#ZombieAnts #Ophiocordyceps #NatureIsMetal #BiologyFacts #MindControl #Trivia #RealLifeZombies #facts #science #biology #funfacts #zombie

Paleoophiocordyceps ironomyiae
#sciart #parasite #Paleoophiocordyceps #ophiocordyceps #cordyceps #amber

Paleoophiocordyceps gerontoformicae
#sciart #parasite #Paleoophiocordyceps #ophiocordyceps #cordyceps #amber

There is gold in the graveyard: a...eales) from Minas Gerais, Brazil: Ingenta Connect Fast Track Article

There is gold in the graveyard: a new lineage of zombie-ant fungi in the genus Ophiocordyceps (Ophiocordycipitaceae: Hypocreales) from Minas Gerais, Brazil

#zombieantfungi
#Ophiocordyceps #Ophiocordycipitaceae
#Hypocreales

www.ingentaconnect.com/content/wfbi...

The Zombie-Ant Fungus: Unraveling the Real Science of Ophiocordyceps Unilateralis "Explore the real science of the 'zombie-ant fungus,' Ophiocordyceps unilateralis. Learn how it controls insects, why it's no threat to humans, and the facts behind the fiction."

Beyond 'The Last of Us': Nature's Puppeteer Isn't After Humans, But Its Secrets Are Astonishing

#ZombieAntFungus #Cordyceps #Ophiocordyceps #TheLastOfUs #Science #Mycology #Nature #FactRage #FactRageNews

tglm.us/y51mZ

Four fungi related to species that hijack brains of insects discovered in Thailand The cordyceps species in "The Last of Us," Ophiocordyceps unilateralis, is real and does exactly what the show purports —just not in humans, according to medical experts.

#Fungi related to species that hijack #brains of #insects ...

| #Ophiocordyceps | #infection | #Thailand | Via @sciencex.bsky.social

Some examples of #Ophiocordyceps dipterigena as it fruits from flies #fungifriends

Of these, its #Ophiocordyceps #humbertii clade fungi, that imho are the most #metal

① « Generated by MagicEraser/FLUX » Macro photography. A beetle larva is parasitized by Ophiocordyceps. Close-up. Fungal infection art style. Delicate hyphae wrap around the larva. Fruiting bodies burst from the larva's head. Soft, eerie lighting. 8k resolution, high contrast, detailed, insect photography, fungal advisor, Greg Rutkowski, eerie atmosphere,best quality.

②«#aiart Generated by BingImageCreator » Close-up, macro shot (photo of beetle larvae parasitized by Ophiocordyceps) The beetle larvae's muscles are controlled by hyphae. The beetle larvae, unable to control itself, lean out of the ground and stick their heads out above the soil. Fruiting bodies grow from the top of their heads and die mysteriously at the base of the grass. #本日の成果物 #aiartcommunity

#FungiFriday 🍄‍🟫 #菌曜日
おはようございます

The fungus #Ophiocordyceps is a type of parasitic "zombie" fungus that infects insects.

It spreads its hyphae through the host’s muscles and takes control of its movements.
To lose control of your own body like that...
Now th […]

[Original post on mastodon.social]

#zombiefungus #ophiocordyceps #mindcontrol #naturefacts #fungusamongus #weirdnature #antzombie #natureisawesome #fungifacts #bizarrebiology

The rattle ants they mimic are a common host for #ophiocordyceps here.

Some photos of #zombie #fungi specimens we spotted yesterday. This hyper parasite monstering #Ophiocordyceps growing on #ants was one of the more interesting species. Will be very interesting to see if it cultures well.

Harposporium incensis sp. nov. a South American cordycipitoid species exhibiting inter-phylum host-jumping and having potential as a biological control agent for pest management #Ophiocordyceps #Harposporium #taxonomy
doi.org/10.1080/2150...
@tandfresearch.bsky.social

A dead leafhopper on a blade of grass with whitish fruiting bodies sprouting from the shoulders. The bug is dark brown. The fungus sprouts perpendicular to the body then curves backward like horns.

A dead leafhopper on a blade of grass with whitish fruiting bodies sprouting from the shoulders. The bug is dark brown. The fungus sprouts perpendicular to the body then curves backward like horns.

Ophiocordyceps sprouting from the shoulders of a leafhopper. When you read about these fungi it’s hard to imagine their scale. They are smaller than you’d expect, really. This is one of the only instances in which I photograph dead bugs 🌿🌱 #ophiocordyceps #fungus #bugsky #photography #nature

The first find came under the bark of one of many fallen trees after high wind storms here. An old example of the stilbella buquetii like asexual stage of something in #Ophiocordyceps australis complex on a Rattle #Ant #Polyrhachis #Cyrtomyrma

Here is a mature fruiting body of #Ophiocordyceps dipterigena. #Trypophobia refers to a strong fear of closely packed holes. People typically feel queasy, disgusted, and distressed when looking at surfaces that have small holes gathered close together. #entomopathogenic #zombie #fungi. #EPF

#Ophiocordyceps dipterigena is without a doubt one of the coolest fly eating #entomopathogenic #zombie #fungi. This example throwing a shaka, is about half way through its development. #EPF

Ophiocordyceps from Cundinamarca, Colombia. Still haven't ID'd the bug it is digesting. This was a very hard one to spot today!

#fungifriends #hongoscolombia #cordyceps #ophiocordyceps

Ophiocordyceps australis fruiting on a carpenter ant. Found today in Antioquia, Colombia.

iNat 252246244 / MO 566734

#fungifriends #Ophiocordyceps #cordyceps #mushrooms #Colombia #Antioquia

Saturday ended with some h̶e̶a̶r̶t̶ hoofbreak, so I stuffed rejected prints into it. Didn't think it would look like a #ophiocordyceps infection. Thanks for coruupting my mind #TheLastofUs

"Zombie-Ant Fungi Emerged from Non-manipulating, Beetle-Infecting Ancestors"

#TitleOfTheWeek

Araújo & Hughes 2019 www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti... ($) #Ophiocordyceps #phylogeny

Also, thanks to the @FieldMuseum for making these pins for our display!! #ophiocordyceps #fungi

x.com/mpnelsen/statu…

Happy to have found today for the first time a specimen of #Ophiocordyceps gracilis, here with the subterranean moth larva this entomopathogenic ascomycete grew out of (Cléry-en-Vexin, FR). Me: 🤩. My wife: 🤮.