Spores of the Undead- When Fungus Creates a "Zombie" Moth

---

by Yesenia Leon, PHLT Land Protection Coordinator Cordyceps has entered the chat. Thanks to the very popular video game and TV show starring Pedro Pascal, The Last of Us, this genus of fungi has had its 15 minutes of fame in Hollywood.

Moth urchin fungus growing on a host moth.

Parasitic in nature and affecting mainly insects and other arthropods, it behaves in quite an interesting fashion. The mycelium invades and takes over the host body and manipulates it to move to the highest ground in order to secure its next generation through spore release. The fruiting bodies of the fungus appear as multiple rod-like protrusions, as seen in the picture above.

It is very difficult, and often impossible, to identify the moth's exact species because the parasitic fungus has completely consumed and covered its body.

I discovered this moth at our Anderson Crawford Preserve just a few weeks ago. It was perched high on a branch, as if reaching for the sky, precisely as the Cordyceps intended. This particular species is called the Moth Urchin Fungus (Akanthomyces aculeatus), an apt name for sure. With Matt, our Stewardship Manager’s help, we were able to identify it using the citizen science app iNaturalist.

A host moth heads toward the high point on a tree to aid in the spread of spores.

It is found mainly in America and Europe, but has been observed as far south as South Africa, and as far east as Japan, with its highest concentration right here in the Mid-Atlantic. Lucky for all of us that Cordyceps infecting humans still remains science fiction, so we can all sleep soundly for now.