Seeing working method fungus Last of us; which, to top it off, exists in real life, it does not surprise us that there are mushrooms capable of manipulate living beings. But they don’t always act alone. Sometimes they team up with other living creatures, becoming a double danger to their victims. It’s about the fungus Grosmania penicillate And Eurasian spruce bark beetle (ips typographer).

And this is what, as explained in a study recently published by scientists from Lund University and Max Planck Institute, in Sweden, both are in need of fir trees and work together to share the prize in a curious symbiotic relationship. The fungus thrives by breaking down substances such as the resin produced by the tree. The beetle also feeds and also uses crevices in the trunk to reproduce.

For many years it has been observed that two organisms need spruces. Now, however, it is known that some of the substances that the fungus destroys are those that the tree naturally produces in the form beetle protection. He is completely sold to the enemy. But, as if that wasn’t enough, it’s also tagged so it can be found faster. fungus Last of us one works. At least for now. It has collaborators, although actually helping others is a kind of collateral damage.

fungus Last of us To F. penicillata

cordycepsthe genus to which the fungus belongs Last of usexists in real life. Although does not infect humansbut also to some insects, for example ants. Basically, he uses them at will, so that they spread their spores and participate in their reproduction.

Instead of, G. penicillata does not attack animals, but to plants. More precisely, he is crazy about the organics of some species. ate. On the other hand, beetle I. typographer you also need these plants to feed and breed.

In previous studies, scientists have seen that beetles are more likely to come to spruces previously infected with the fungus. Not only do they not seem to care, but they like. There was a match. There was no causal relationship. And now it seems to be much clearer.

Pheromones to attract beetles

When the fungus infects spruce, it begins to break down and metabolize many of the compounds present in its composition. resin. As a result, the new compounds that the authors of this recent study observed act as pheromones for beetles. In fact, it is mostly the females that are seen that will eventually lay their eggs there. more attractive.

However, beetles have also been seen problems with attacking other firs that are not affected by the fungus. This is because they contain substances that can even kill any insect that tries to use them. But those compounds that act as a shield are destroyed by the fungus. He literally leaves the trees unarmed before the beetle. Everything that follows is logical.

With that in mind, the study authors wanted to test something else. And this is not the only mushroom capable of infect and decompose organic fir trees. There are more of them, but some can be dangerous for the beetles themselves. If you think about what inspires the fungus Last of us we will understand why.

Thus, these scientists attempted to expose the beetles to fir trees contaminated with both G. penicillata as for another fungus, which also disarm the factories. They always chose the first. That is, one that makes life easier for them, but does not cause them any harm. Deep down, they know very well what they are doing, even if they do it unconsciously.

Source: Hiper Textual

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