skunkbear: Ophiocordyceps sinensis is a fungus that invades the…
Ophiocordyceps sinensis is a fungus that invades the bodies of ghost moth larvae. The caterpillars burrow underground and the fungus grows, eventually killing and consuming most of its host.
The fungus is used in traditional medicine, and a recent demand (mostly from China) has caused the prices to skyrocket. Thanks to its value, O. sinensis has been implicated in the Nepalese Civil War, environmental degradation and several murders.
Top two photos: Daniel Winkler
Bottom photo: Deng Fei/Corbis
I did not expect to learn about this when I woke up today.
Reposted from http://ift.tt/1rdVIR2.
Tags: insects, technically speaking, technically speaking insects that anonsally will never see.
