Sac Fungus (Cordyceps sp. ) fruiting bodies emerging from dead parasitized Spider (Ctenidae sp. ), Manu Road

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Sac Fungus (Cordyceps sp. ) fruiting bodies emerging from dead parasitized Spider (Ctenidae sp. ), Manu Road

Sac Fungus (Cordyceps sp.) fruiting bodies emerging from dead parasitized Spider (Ctenidae sp.), Manu Road, Departemento Cuzco, Andes, Peru

FLPA images of Wildlife and nature

Media ID 6573329

© FLPA/Emanuele Biggi

Andean Andes Arachnid Arachnids Ascomycete Ascomycota Bizarre Dead Death Emerge Emerged Emerges Emerging Fungi Fungus Kill Killed Kills Mushroom Mushrooms Neo Tropical Neotropics Parasite Parasites Parasitic Parasitise Parasitised Parasitises Parasitising Parasitize Parasitized Parasitizes Parasitizing Peru Peruvian Spider Spiders Unusual Weird Ctenidae Endoparasitoid Entomopathogenic Montane Upland Uplands

EDITORS COMMENTS
. In this jaw-dropping snapshot captured by FLPA photographer Emanuele Biggi, we witness a truly bizarre and otherworldly scene unfolding on the Manu Road in Departemento Cuzco. It's a dance macabre between life and death, as Sac Fungus (Cordyceps sp. ) fruiting bodies emerge triumphantly from their unsuspecting host - a dead parasitized spider (Ctenidae sp. ). This peculiar phenomenon takes place high up in the majestic Andes mountains, where tropical meets montane. The vibrant colors of South America are juxtaposed with an eerie twist that only nature can conjure. Imagine stumbling upon this surreal sight during your hike! The intricate web of life unfolds before our eyes as these parasitic fungi take control over their arachnid victims. In a twisted symbiotic relationship, the fungus kills its host while simultaneously using it as a platform for its own growth and reproduction. It's like witnessing Mother Nature's very own horror movie – spiders turned into zombie-like marionettes! This photo serves as a reminder that even in the most remote corners of our planet, there is always something strange and wonderful waiting to be discovered. So next time you venture into the wilds of Peru or any other exotic location, keep your eyes peeled for nature's oddities – who knows what kind of spine-tingling surprises await

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