The Mysterious Cordyceps: Captivating the Minds of Writers and Filmmakers

Last updated: June 2026
This guide is regularly updated with the latest insights on cordyceps.

In the expansive kingdom of fungi, Cordyceps is one unique species that continues to capture imaginations worldwide. Its unusual life cycle, fascinating characteristics and ecological role have proved a rich source of inspiration for creatives across mediums. In this blog we explore some of these ideas, as well as the likelihood of any of them happening in real life.

From reality to fantasy

What makes Cordyceps so fascinating? Their unique life cycle, coupled with their relationship with their host. Cordyceps are parasitic fungi: they take over the body of their host, often an insect, to grow and reproduce. When a Cordyceps fungus infects an insect, the spores penetrate the exoskeleton and gradually take over the body from the inside. The fungus then manipulates the host's behaviour, compelling it to climb to a high point so the spores spread from above. Under the control of the Cordyceps, the insect essentially becomes a 'zombie'. No wonder this process intrigues scientists and inspires creatives as a metaphor for control, survival and the balance of nature.

Cordyceps in literature

Authors of various genres have turned to Cordyceps for compelling plotlines. The sci-fi genre embraced this fungus in particular. For instance, M.R. Carey's post-apocalyptic novel 'The Girl with All the Gifts' presents a world where Cordyceps has evolved to infect humans, a chilling 'what if' scenario.

Cordyceps on the big screen

The world of filmmaking dived into the fascinating world of Cordyceps too. The famous video game 'The Last of Us', now adapted into a television series, uses a Cordyceps infection as the central part of the story: a future where the fungus has jumped to humans and created a dystopian world full of hard choices.

Can Cordyceps really pose a threat to humans?

It makes for fascinating science fiction, but the likelihood of Cordyceps evolving to use humans as hosts is extremely low based on our current understanding. The biological mechanisms and conditions that allow Cordyceps to infect a host are quite specific: the spores must contact an insect, penetrate the exoskeleton and then manipulate its behaviour.

Human biology and immune systems are vastly different from those of insects, and our skin is not a suitable environment for these fungi. Our immune systems are also quite effective at fighting off foreign invaders, including most fungi. Science is always evolving and nothing can be definitively ruled out, but such a scenario is far from our current reality.

Worth knowing: some Cordyceps species are used in traditional medicine and as dietary supplements. These are consumed orally and are not infectious to humans. They are valued for various reasons, although more research is needed to confirm these effects.

Last updated: June 2026 | Next Level Smart