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‘Plants and Fungi’ Winner

The fruiting body of a zombie-ant fungus, seen in the New York Botanical Garden.
The fruiting body of a zombie-ant fungus, seen in the New York Botanical Garden. Image: João Araújo

João Araújo is a mycologist at the New York Botanical Garden, where the macabre scene above unfolded. This image—the winner of the ‘Plants and Fungi’ category—shows an ant that has been harnessed by the zombie-ant fungus, which then is able to control the body of its host. Damn nature, you scary.

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