Zombie ant fungus life-cycle. Computer artwork showing the life cycle of the parasitoidal fungus Ophiocordyceps unilateralis, which infects ants and alters their behaviour in order to ensure its own successful reproduction. The fungal spores infect an ant (bottom centre) and cause it to climb the stem of a plant where it anchors itself to a leave (left) with its mandibles, and dies. The fungus grows inside the ant, consuming its tissues until the fruiting body (round, stalked) grows out of the animal's head (upper centre). The fruiting body then releases its spores (upper right), which infect another ant (bottom centre).