Fungus on Insects

[China Doll]

Morning All,

I was watching Tribe last night with my housemate and there was a fungus on there that grows on (inside?) insects and eventually kills them.

My housemate has spent a lot of time in Peru and explained that there is something similar to this there but that somehow the fungus makes the insects climb to a high place before it kills them. (Then it can release its spores further I gather). She says no one knows how the fungus does this though.

Does anyone know what this fungus is called? Any theories on how it does this? If, (as I always thought) insects have very tiny brains then is it even possible that their brains can be manipulated? How does fungus mess with a bugs mind for goodness sake?!

Cheers
(Confused as ever) China

[jake-the-peg]

Can't help you with this one China

I can't decide what was more amazing that or a culture where one woman had several husbands!

[China Doll]

Where's the bl00dy Prof or Brachi when you need 'em eh?! Lightweights....

I have to admit, it's tipped the scales for me Jake. I've decided to run away to live there instead of my previous paradise.

Last one next week :0(

[jake-the-peg]

Hmm fabulous views on one hand whilst on the other dragging stroppy yaks through the snow and crawling on your hands and knees looking for fungus infected caterpillars at 10p a time.

You sure about that - I'll miss you when I'm here:

http://www.sydhav.no/Salomon/anuta_kano_strand .jpg

[China Doll]

You do make a compelling argument there I must say.

I can't stand bugs either.

Okey cokey... tell ya what, Anuta it is and I'll have a meeting with the elders. See if we can't open a discussion about multiple husbands.

Failing that I'll stop being greedy!