akukamaruzzaman

Zombie Lynx Spider: Infected with Entomopathogenic Fungus

2025-05-16T15:26:03

This is not a beautiful mushroom like the ones I always used to share in the past. Instead of a beautiful mushroom, this one is something terrible.

I was stunned with horror when I noticed a zombie lynx spider (Oxyopidae sp.) behind a leaf.

It was infected with entomopathogenic fungus (a kind of Cordyceps ), which is commonly known as a parasite that paralyzes insects and some arthropods, such as spiders, to death.

It was clear to see how the deadly fungus isolates the spider with spores and mycelium. Fairly prominent fruit bodies like horns grow on the spider's back. Yes, the Cordyceps fungus has made this spider's body its host to reproduce. This is amazing and terrible at the same time!

Damn! Suddenly I want to watch the series "The Last of Us" again.

^{*This is my contribution to #FungiFriday hosted and curated by @ewkaw*}

Happy #FungiFriday🍄

^{***These photos are my own, taken with POCO X3 NFC smartphone***}

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