Sealed in ancient amber, this insect fossil seemed like just another remnant of a long-lost world. But hidden within its fragile form was a gruesome surprise, one that left scientists both fascinated and disturbed.
A fossilized ant and fly preserved in 99-million-year-old amber have revealed one of the oldest known examples of parasitic fungi taking over insect hosts. The fungal growths, protruding from the heads and bodies of the insects, show the same gruesom... [2173 chars]