The Silent Puppeteer of Moths (Akanthomyces tuberculatus).
- Cristian Porras Ramírez
- Aug 24
- 3 min read
Updated: Aug 24
In the deepest parts of forests and grasslands, a microscopic predator wages a slow and silent battle — one that involves life, death, and rebirth. That predator is Akanthomyces tuberculatus, an entomopathogenic fungus (a fungus that infects insects) belonging to the Cordycipitaceae family. A close relative of the famous Cordyceps fungi, it is far less known, but its story is equally fascinating — and perhaps even more sinister.
A Master of Infection
The story of Akanthomyces tuberculatus begins when its tiny spores land on the exoskeleton of an unsuspecting moth, usually an adult. These spores germinate rapidly, producing fine filaments called hyphae that penetrate the insect’s cuticle (the hard outer layer) and invade its body.
Once inside, the fungus begins to consume the moth’s internal tissues but doesn’t kill it immediately. In fact, at first, the pathogen seems to avoid vital organs to keep the host alive as long as possible, ensuring the moth remains functional while the infection spreads. This strategy allows the fungus to manipulate the insect’s behavior and complete its reproductive cycle before ultimately killing its host.
The Climb of Death
One of the most extraordinary traits of Akanthomyces tuberculatus is its ability to alter the behavior of its host. As the infection progresses, the fungus releases chemical signals that interfere with the moth’s nervous system, triggering an unusual instinct: the urge to climb.
The infected moth abandons its usual shelter and ascends to an elevated position — the branch of a bush, the tip of a leaf, or the stem of a plant — where it clings tightly and awaits its inevitable fate. This phenomenon, known as “summit disease”, is well-documented in the world of “zombie fungi”.
For example, the famous Ophiocordyceps that infects ants forces them to climb and bite into leaves at high vantage points, ensuring the fungus disperses its spores from an ideal position. Similarly, after the moth climbs and secures itself, it soon dies, and the fungus begins its next stage of conquest.
The Blooming Fungus
From the lifeless body of the moth, Akanthomyces tuberculatus emerges in a striking display. Fine structures called conidiophores — the fungus’s reproductive stalks — sprout outward from the insect’s body, resembling delicate needles reaching into the air.
These structures act like launch towers, releasing thousands of microscopic spores into the wind. Because the moth died at an elevated location, the spores travel much farther than they would from the ground. This precise manipulation of the insect’s behavior is an evolutionary masterpiece, ensuring the fungus’s survival, dispersal, and dominance.
An Ecological Balance
Although it sounds like a horror story, Akanthomyces tuberculatus plays a vital ecological role. Interactions between insects and parasitic fungi are not uncommon — there are over 1,000 species of entomopathogenic fungi described in nature.
By infecting and killing adult moths, this fungus helps regulate insect populations, preventing uncontrolled outbreaks that could damage plants and ecosystems.
Scientists are also studying fungi like Akanthomyces for their biotechnological potential, especially as biological control agents in agriculture. Their ability to target specific insect species makes them a promising, eco-friendly alternative to chemical pesticides (PLOS Pathogens).
A Reminder of Nature’s Complexity
The story of Akanthomyces tuberculatus reveals how intricate and interconnected life on Earth truly is. Over millions of years, this tiny fungus has evolved an astonishingly effective survival strategy — one that turns its host into an unwitting accomplice in its own demise.
In the quiet forests where moths flutter and fungi wait, life and death intertwine in a delicate balance. And in that balance, Akanthomyces tuberculatus thrives — hidden yet powerful — shaping ecosystems one spore at a time.
References
Mark Bower, Springfield Plateau: "A Fungus Among Us"
Abolfazl Masoudi et al., Appl. Microbiol. Biotechnol. (2024): “Summit Disease Review”
Shang et al., PLOS Pathogens (2015): Entomopathogenic fungi and biocontrol strategies
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