{
  "id": 230314,
  "title": "Parasitic zombie-ant fungus thrives in mosses, too",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/06/parasitic-zombie-ant-fungus-thrives-in-mosses-too-230314",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-08-06T17:13:45.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Ars Technica",
    "slug": "ars-technica",
    "url": "https://arstechnica.com/science/2026/08/parasitic-zombie-fungus-thrives-in-mosses-too/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The parasitic fungus Cordyceps, often showcased in nature documentaries and the video game The Last of Us, has now been found thriving within mosses, according to a new study. This revelation, published in the journal IMA Fungus, suggests the fungus may have a secondary life stage inside the moss, potentially serving as a survival mechanism during periods when insect hosts are scarce. The discovery could also explain why the host species often seek out mosses during their final moments. There are over 400 species of Cordyceps, each specifically targeting a particular insect species, such as ants, dragonflies, cockroaches, aphids, or beetles. Once inside the host, the fungus spreads through the body using long, thread-like structures called mycelia, effectively transforming the insect into a \"zombie\" that clamps onto a plant.",
  "summary": "This may help fungi survive host scarcity and explains why infected hosts prefer the mosses as death sites.",
  "key_points": [
    "Parasitic fungus Cordyceps found in mosses, study reveals.",
    "Fungus may serve as survival mechanism during insect scarcity.",
    "Over 400 Cordyceps species target specific insect species."
  ],
  "editors_take": "The fungus's ability to thrive in mosses suggests a survival strategy that could help explain the behaviour of its insect hosts in their final moments.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Ars Technica Science",
        "title": "Parasitic zombie-ant fungus thrives in mosses, too",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/06/parasitic-zombie-ant-fungus-thrives-in-mosses-too",
        "published": "2026-08-06T17:13:45.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}