Cordyceps fungi, natural enemies of insects and allies of humanity.

Abstract

The Cordyceps fungi, known as the puppeteers of the fungal kingdom and famous in pop culture due to “The Last of Us,” are truly fascinating beyond fiction. With approximately 1000 species spread across the tropics, Cordyceps create a network of life and death, turning invertebrates into hosts for their life cycle. Their hosts range from butterfly larvae to industrious ants. Their strategy is subtle and precise, releasing spores that adhere and penetrate, usurping the host’s resources to flourish in orange and reddish forms that emerge as fruiting bodies, heralding a new generation of plant zombies. While these zombie fungi may seem threatening, their contact with us is harmless and potentially beneficial. Studies suggest that the chemical compounds of Cordyceps could be unexpected allies for our health. The key is to uncover their biological secrets and perfect their cultivation in the laboratory, paving the way to a future where medicine and nature converge.