Archive · 26 Jun 2025
Ancient 'Zombie' Fungus Found in 99-Million-Year-Old Amber
Imagine insects from the time of the dinosaurs being taken over by a 'zombie' fungus!
Scientists found fossils in amber (hardened tree resin) that show how this fungus, like the one in 'The Last of Us', took control of insects.
The fungus grew on the insect and eventually killed them.
Researchers found two new types of this fungus, revealing more about ancient ecosystems and how nature sometimes acts like a horror movie.
Scientists discovered a 99-million-year-old fly fossil with a 'zombie' fungus.
An ant fossil, also from the same amber, showed signs of a similar fungal infection.
The fungi, likely from the Ophiocordyceps genus, controlled the insects before killing them.
The fossils are some of the oldest known examples of fungi controlling insects.
Researchers used microscopes and 3D scans to study the fossils.
- Who
- Scientists, including Yuhui Zhuang, discovered the fossils.
- What
- Scientists discovered fossilized insects infected with a parasitic 'zombie' fungus.
- When
- The fossils are 99 million years old, from the Cretaceous period.
- Where
- The fossils were found in amber.
- Why
- The discovery offers insight into ancient ecosystems and the evolution of parasitism.
- Fossil Age
- 99 million years old
- Insects Affected
- Fly and Ant
- Fungus Type
- Ophiocordyceps
- Lead Researcher
- Yuhui Zhuang
