"Once the ant was infected, it would be compelled to climb to the top of a mountain where it would die from the cold. In the presence of cold and high altitudes, the mushroom would release its spores and they would float down the mountain to infect more ants."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vgkL8PulPdE

We all know that some fungi interface in rather interesting ways with the mammalian nervous system. But if this is true, these fungi are actually taking some degree of control over the insect host! Holy shit!
Anyone know more about this?

One obvious theory is that the ant (or other insect) 'knows' that it is 'fucked' and decides to take one for the team and get as far away from the colony as possible before dying as to protect the Queen ant.

But, if these fungi are somehow directly interfacing with the ants and MAKING them walk to an advantageous spot for fungi growth.....well again I say, 'holy shit!'

Makes me think back to one summer where I ate so many mushrooms that I felt like at any moment I could turn INTO a mushroom. Like either they would just start popping out of my body all over or I would turn into one big mushroom, which would come out of my head and eventually take me over.

I knew it wouldn't happen, of course, but it didn't feel unreasonable. In fact, it felt quite probable.

What are these mushrooms up to?

Sounds like a job for...

*rips off shirt*

DMT MAN!

*Fly's away*

Yep, pretty interesting stuff. Similar phenomenon have been observed in mice infected with toxoplasmosis, a bacterium found in cat feces. The mice actually become less likely to run away from cats.

Makes you wonder who is really running the show...