Updated

Updated · CBS New York · Jun 19

Malaysian Scientists Discover New Borneo Fungus That Parasitizes Zombie Fungus in Ants

Updated

Updated · CBS New York · Jun 19

Malaysian Scientists Discover New Borneo Fungus That Parasitizes Zombie Fungus in Ants

Q: Could a fungus that eats 'zombie fungus' hold the secret to a new generation of powerful antimicrobial drugs?

Yes—potentially, but it is far too early to say it is a proven drug breakthrough. The newly described Bornean fungus, *Pleurocordyceps cornusynnemata*, is a hyperparasite that attacks *Ophiocordyceps* inside infected ants. That matters because fungi that live by defeating other fungi often evolve potent chemical weapons. Those compounds can become leads for new medicines, much as fungi have already given the world major drugs including antibiotics and antifungals. The Malaysian team itself says these newly documented fungi could be valuable sources of next-generation antimicrobial compounds and biocontrol agents. The scientific logic is strong: a fungus that can invade and feed on another fungus may produce molecules that suppress fungal growth, disrupt cells, or block key biological pathways. Those same mechanisms can sometimes be adapted into drugs for human use. But the discovery is still at the starting line. Researchers have identified the species through morpho-molecular analysis and preserved the specimen, yet no antimicrobial compound from *P. cornusynnemata* has been isolated, tested, or shown to work in people. Drug development would require years of chemical screening, lab validation, toxicity testing, and clinical trials. What the finding clearly does show is the value of Borneo’s rainforests as a reservoir of overlooked biodiversity and possible medicines. In that sense, the fungus may not yet hold the secret—but it could be an important clue.

Q: Can the newly discovered 'zombie fungus killer' be harnessed to create eco-friendly pesticides for our farms?

Yes—but only as a long-term possibility, not an immediate farm product. The newly discovered fungus, *Pleurocordyceps cornusynnemata*, is a hyperparasite: it attacks another fungus, *Ophiocordyceps*, rather than directly killing crop pests. That means its most plausible agricultural use would be as a biological control tool against harmful fungi or as a source of useful bioactive compounds, not as a direct insecticide in the way some established “zombie fungi” such as *Beauveria* or *Metarhizium* are used. Researchers involved in the Sabah discovery have said these newly documented fungi could help develop next-generation antimicrobial drugs and biocontrol agents against agricultural pests. That is scientifically credible. Hyperparasites are already known in agriculture for suppressing disease-causing organisms, and fungal metabolites have a strong track record as leads for pesticides and antifungal products. But this species is still at the discovery stage. Scientists would need to show that it can be cultured reliably, works outside the rainforest, targets the right organisms, does not harm beneficial microbes, remains stable under farm conditions such as heat and UV exposure, and can pass regulatory safety testing. Those are major hurdles. So the answer is promising, but unproven. In the near term, *P. cornusynnemata* is more valuable as a research lead—either for natural compounds or future biocontrol strategies—than as a ready-made eco-friendly pesticide for farms.

3 articles · Updated · CBS New York · Jun 19

Pleurocordyceps cornusynnemata, a newly identified hyperparasitic fungus, was found in Sabah's Danum Valley feeding on Ophiocordyceps tissue inside an ant already infected by the so-called zombie fungus.
University of Malaysia Sabah researchers collected the samples during multiple Borneo field trips and said the species does not hijack the insect itself, but instead parasitizes the primary pathogen growing within the host.
The fungus was named for its distinctive horn-shaped structure and, while not the first hyperparasite of its kind, is the first known member of its genus with that morphology, according to deputy director Jaya Seelan Sathiya Seelan.
The finding was published in the New Zealand Journal of Botany and also appeared in Phytotaxa in April, while the same expeditions uncovered a new spider-killing fungus as well.
Researchers said the discoveries underscore Borneo's biodiversity and could aid future antimicrobial drug development and biological pest control, while experts added cordyceps-like fungi are not a threat to humans.

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CBS New York3h ago

Malaysian Scientists Discover New Hyperparasitic Fungus, Pleurocordyceps cornusynnemata, in Borneo

Malay Mail3h ago

The hunter becomes the hunted: Malaysian scientists discover hyperparasite that preys on 'zombie fungus' in Sabah's Danum Valley | Malay Mail

X10h ago

A new fungus in Borneo attacks zombie fungus inside infected ants, and it is the first known Pleurocordyceps with a distinct horn-shaped structure.

12 Sources

Could a fungus that eats 'zombie fungus' hold the secret to a new generation of powerful antimicrobial drugs?

Can the newly discovered 'zombie fungus killer' be harnessed to create eco-friendly pesticides for our farms?

Discovery of Pleurocordyceps cornusynnemata: A Hyperparasitic Fungus from Borneo That Targets the "Zombie-Ant" Fungus and Its Implications for Biodiversity, Conservation, and Biotechnology

Overview

Scientists in Malaysia have discovered Pleurocordyceps cornusynnemata, a new fungal species in Borneo, marking the first record of its genus in the country. This fungus is a hyperparasite, meaning it targets ants already infected by the 'zombie-ant' fungus Ophiocordyceps, feeding on the parasite inside the ant. By doing so, P. cornusynnemata helps control Ophiocordyceps populations, preventing them from overwhelming ant colonies and supporting ecosystem balance. The discovery highlights Borneo’s rich biodiversity and the importance of conservation, while also offering potential for new medicines and biocontrol agents from unique fungal compounds.

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