Zombie Ants

A fungus called Ophiocordyceps infects carpenter ants and takes over their behavior. An infected worker abandons its colony, climbs a plant stem, clamps its jaws onto a leaf vein, and dies there. A stalk then grows out of the dead ant's head and rains spores onto the colony trail below.

The ant doesn't choose that spot by accident. The fungus steers it to the exact temperature and humidity it needs to grow. The strangest part: the fungus weaves through the ant's muscles and moves the body directly, while the brain stays alive and untouched — a puppeteer pulling the strings without touching the controls.