The new species targets ants already infected by Ophiocordyceps, or “zombie fungus”, which manipulates the infected insect’s nervous system and makes it behave erratically before killing it and bursting from its carcass.

“Rather than manipulating the insect’s nervous system itself, Pleurocordyceps infiltrates and feeds directly on the thriving Ophiocordyceps tissue inside the host,” Seelan said.