The Last of Us: Could Fungi Trigger a Zombie Apocalypse?

Zombies tap into our fears, and once they get in our heads, they stay there. Animals overtaken by “zombies” lose control over their bodies and actions, instead serving the needs of a virus, fungus, or other parasite.

The word “zombi” originates from Vodou, a religion that developed in Haiti. But the modern image of undead, brain-eating zombies comes from movies like Night of the Living Dead, shows like The Walking Dead, and video games like Resident Evil.

While those examples are fictional, real zombification exists in nature, where one organism can control another’s behavior.

As a mycologist, I study fungi, a vast kingdom of molds, yeasts, mushrooms, and even zombifying fungi. Luckily, these “mind-controlling organisms” mainly target insects.

Insect Body Snatchers

One of the most well-known examples of zombification in nature is the zombie ant fungus, Ophiocordyceps unilateralis, part of the larger Cordyceps fungi group. This fungus inspired The Last of Us video game and series, where a fungal infection turns people into zombie-like creatures and disrupts society.

In reality, ants encounter this fungus when spores fall onto them from trees or plants above. The spores penetrate the ant’s body without killing it and spread inside as yeast. The infected ant stops interacting with its colony, staggers aimlessly, and becomes hyperactive.

Finally, the fungus drives the ant to climb a plant and lock its jaws onto a leaf or stem in a behavior known as “summiting.” At this point, the fungus consumes the ant’s organs, including its brain. A stalk then grows from the ant’s head, releasing spores that infect other ants below, restarting the cycle.

Ophiocordyceps and Zombie Cicada Fungi

Scientists have documented numerous Ophiocordyceps species, each tiny and highly specialized. Some live in limited areas, like Ophiocordyceps salganeicola, a parasite of social cockroaches found only in Japan’s Ryukyu Islands. Many more species likely await discovery worldwide.

Another well-known parasite is the zombie cicada fungus, Massospora cicadina, which targets periodical cicadas emerging on 13- or 17-year cycles. The fungus keeps these cicadas active and flying, even as it replaces parts of their bodies, a rare “active host” behavior among fungi.

Real Fungal Threats

Massospora relatives infect flies, moths, millipedes, and beetles, often leading hosts to summit and die, much like ants infected by Ophiocordyceps.

These fungi-host relationships evolved over millions of years and are highly specialized. For a fungus that infects ants or cicadas to even target another insect, let alone humans, would require significant evolutionary changes.

In my research, I’ve worked with hundreds of infected cicadas, insects, spiders, and millipedes, uncovering intriguing details about their biology—all while retaining full control over my own behavior.

Some fungi do pose risks to human health. For example, Aspergillus fumigatus and Cryptococcus neoformans can infect lungs, causing severe, pneumonia-like symptoms. Cryptococcus neoformans may even spread to the central nervous system, leading to issues like neck stiffness, vomiting, and light sensitivity.

Cases of invasive fungal diseases are increasing globally, as are common infections like athlete’s foot and ringworm. Fungi thrive in warm, moist conditions, so showering after getting sweaty and avoiding shared sports gear or towels can help prevent infection.

Not all fungi are dangerous, and even harmful ones won’t turn you into a zombie. The closest you’ll get to a zombifying fungus is likely through movies or video games. But if you’re intrigued, keep an eye out—zombie ants or flies might be in your own backyard! Or, if you’re inspired, you could become a scientist and study them, just like I do.

Read the original article: Science Alert

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