In nature, the fungus known as Cordyceps acts as a natural pesticide. That is, in the insect world, Cordyceps can single-handedly destroy an entire ant colony by infected one victim. It works by entering the ant’s system, residing just under the exoskeleton. The first process is to infect the ant, followed by eating all the soft tissue beneath the exoskeleton, sparing the major organs. When the fungus is ready to sporulate it sends chemicals to the ant’s brain, taking the reins and controlling it. The ant climbs the highest plant it can find, clamps down on the stem and dies. The spores burst through the body, spilling down into the colony below to infect the others. The process can take as little as a…