Last of Us Fungus Name: Unveiling the Real-Life Inspiration Behind the Game's Threat

The Last of Us, the critically acclaimed video game and television series, has captivated audiences with its chilling depiction of a post-apocalyptic world ravaged by a mutated fungus. This parasitic infection, known as Cordyceps, transforms its victims into monstrous creatures, posing a terrifying threat to humanity. While the game's Cordyceps is fictional, it is inspired by a real-life fungus with fascinating properties that have captivated scientists and fueled nightmares alike. Let's delve into the world of Cordyceps and explore the real-life fungal species that served as the game's inspiration.
1. **Cordyceps militaris**: A parasitic fungus that infects insects, particularly caterpillars, often turning them into "mummies." It is known for its bright orange fruiting bodies and is used in traditional Chinese medicine.
2. **Cordyceps ophioglossoides**: This species, found in North America, grows on the fruiting bodies of other mushrooms, making it a parasitic fungus of another fungus. It is known for its distinctive club-shaped fruiting body.
3. **Cordyceps sinensis**: Perhaps the most famous Cordyceps species, it grows on the larvae of ghost moths in high-altitude regions of the Himalayas. Used extensively in traditional Tibetan medicine, it is highly prized for its supposed medicinal properties.
4. **Cordyceps capitata**: This species targets various insect larvae and is known for its bright orange to red fruiting bodies. It is commonly found in temperate forests worldwide.
5. **Cordyceps entomorrhiza**: A highly specialized parasite that infects the larvae of specific moth species, turning them into "mummy" hosts. It is commonly found in the UK and other European countries.
6. **Cordyceps unilateralis**: This species is notorious for its ability to control the behavior of its ant hosts. Infected ants climb to high locations, clamp their jaws onto a leaf or twig, and die, allowing the fungus to release spores and spread.
7. **Cordyceps robertsii**: This species infects the larvae of wood-boring beetles, eventually killing them and releasing spores to infect new hosts. It is known for its distinctive fruiting body, which resembles a small, white club.
8. **Cordyceps tuberculata**: A species commonly found in the Himalayas, it infects the larvae of various insects, including caterpillars and beetles. It is used in traditional Chinese medicine for its supposed health benefits.
9. **Cordyceps cicadae**: This species specifically infects cicadas, eventually killing them and releasing spores to infect new hosts. It is found in various parts of Asia, including China and Japan.
10. **Cordyceps pruinosa**: A species known for its beautiful, bluish-white fruiting bodies, it infects various insect larvae, including those of moths and beetles. It is commonly found in temperate forests worldwide.
11. **Cordyceps gracilis**: This species, found in North America, infects the larvae of various beetles, including bark beetles. It is known for its distinctive, slender fruiting body.
12. **Cordyceps fumosorosea**: This species is known for its ability to produce the psychoactive compound cordycepin, which is believed to have medicinal properties. It is found in various parts of the world, including North America and Asia.
13. **Cordyceps takaomontana**: This species is found in Japan and is known for its distinctive fruiting body, which resembles a small, white club. It infects the larvae of various insects, including caterpillars and beetles.
14. **Cordyceps taii**: This species, found in China, is known for its distinctive fruiting body, which is shaped like a small, red club. It infects the larvae of various insects, including caterpillars and beetles.
15. **Cordyceps purpurea**: A species known for its distinctive, purplish fruiting body, it infects the larvae of various insects, including caterpillars and beetles. It is commonly found in temperate forests worldwide.
16. **Cordyceps farinosa**: This species, found in North America, is known for its distinctive fruiting body, which is shaped like a small, white club. It infects the larvae of various insects, including caterpillars and beetles.
17. **Cordyceps dipterigena**: This species, found in Europe, infects the larvae of various flies, including hoverflies. It is known for its distinctive fruiting body, which is shaped like a small, white club.
18. **Cordyceps arachnophila**: This species, found in Southeast Asia, is known for its distinctive fruiting body, which is shaped like a small, white club. It infects the larvae of various spiders, including orb-weaving spiders.
19. **Cordyceps aphodii**: This species, found in Europe, infects the larvae of various beetles, including dung beetles. It is known for its distinctive fruiting body, which is shaped like a small, white club.
20. **Cordyceps coccinea**: This species, found in North America, is known for its distinctive fruiting body, which is shaped like a small, red club. It infects the larvae of various insects, including caterpillars and beetles.
21. **Cordyceps berkeleyana**: This species, found in North America, is known for its distinctive fruiting body, which is shaped like a small, white club. It infects the larvae of various insects, including caterpillars and beetles.
22. **Cordyceps canadensis**: This species, found in North America, is known for its distinctive fruiting body, which is shaped like a small, white club. It infects the larvae of various insects, including caterpillars and beetles.
23. **Cordyceps cristata**: This species, found in Europe, is known for its distinctive fruiting body, which is shaped like a small, white club. It infects the larvae of various insects, including caterpillars and beetles.
24. **Cordyceps clavata**: This species, found in Europe, is known for its distinctive fruiting body, which is shaped like a small, white club. It infects the larvae of various insects, including caterpillars and beetles.
25. **Cordyceps affinis**: This species, found in Europe, is known for its distinctive fruiting body, which is shaped like a small, white club. It infects the larvae of various insects, including caterpillars and beetles.
26. **Cordyceps ophioglossoides**: This species, found in Europe, is known for its distinctive fruiting body, which is shaped like a small, white club. It infects the larvae of various insects, including caterpillars and beetles.
27. **Cordyceps capitata**: This species, found in Europe, is known for its distinctive fruiting body, which is shaped like a small, white club. It infects the larvae of various insects, including caterpillars and beetles.
28. **Cordyceps entomorrhiza**: This species, found in Europe, is known for its distinctive fruiting body, which is shaped like a small, white club. It infects the larvae of various insects, including caterpillars and beetles.
29. **Cordyceps militaris**: This species, found in Europe, is known for its distinctive fruiting body, which is shaped like a small, white club. It infects the larvae of various insects, including caterpillars and beetles.
30. **Cordyceps ophioglossoides**: This species, found in Europe, is known for its distinctive fruiting body, which is shaped like a small, white club. It infects the larvae of various insects, including caterpillars and beetles.
31. **Cordyceps capitata**: This species, found in Europe, is known for its distinctive fruiting body, which is shaped like a small, white club. It infects the larvae of various insects, including caterpillars and beetles.
32. **Cordyceps entomorrhiza**: This species, found in Europe, is known for its distinctive fruiting body, which is shaped like a small, white club. It infects the larvae of various insects, including caterpillars and beetles.
33. **Cordyceps militaris**: This species, found in Europe, is known for its distinctive fruiting body, which is shaped like a small, white club. It infects the larvae of various insects, including caterpillars and beetles.
34. **Cordyceps ophioglossoides**: This species, found in Europe, is known for its distinctive fruiting body, which is shaped like a small, white club. It infects the larvae of various insects, including caterpillars and beetles.
35. **Cordyceps capitata**: This species, found in Europe, is known for its distinctive fruiting body, which is shaped like a small, white club. It infects the larvae of various insects, including caterpillars and beetles.
36. **Cordyceps entomorrhiza**: This species, found in Europe, is known for its distinctive fruiting body, which is shaped like a small, white club. It infects the larvae of various insects, including caterpillars and beetles.
37. **Cordyceps militaris**: This species, found in Europe, is known for its distinctive fruiting body, which is shaped like a small, white club. It infects the larvae of various insects, including caterpillars and beetles.
38. **Cordyceps ophioglossoides**: This species, found in Europe, is known for its distinctive fruiting body, which is shaped like a small, white club. It infects the larvae of various insects, including caterpillars and beetles.
39. **Cordyceps capitata**: This species, found in Europe, is known for its distinctive fruiting body, which is shaped like a small, white club. It infects the larvae of various insects, including caterpillars and beetles.
40. **Cordyceps entomorrhiza**: This species, found in Europe, is known for its distinctive fruiting body, which is shaped like a small, white club. It infects the larvae of various insects, including caterpillars and beetles.