Chien C. Lee

  • Select Portfolio
  • About
  • Connect
    • Contact
    • Instagram
    • Facebook
  • Events
    • Guided Trips
    • Exhibitions
    • Talks & Workshops
  • Full Image Library
    • All Galleries
    • Search
    • Cart
    • Lightbox
    • Client Area
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
x

Search Results

Refine Search
Match all words
Match any word
Prints
Personal Use
Royalty-Free
Rights-Managed
(leave unchecked to
search all images)
39 images found
twitterlinkedinfacebook

Loading ()...

  • The dreaded Bullet Ant (Paraponera clavata), in possession of the most painful sting on the planet, here has fallen prey to an even more sinister organism: a parasitoid fungus (Ophiocordycipitaceae). The ‘zombification’ of insects in tropical rainforests has been well documented, but the incredibly precise way that these fungi control the behavior of their hosts prior to consuming them is not yet fully understood. Recent research indicates that, rather than invading the brain which might kill the insect prematurely, the fungus may directly control the muscles of its host like a puppet. In this way it can lead the ant to a location where it is more likely to infect others. Yasuní National Park, Ecuador.
    cld2011417.jpg
  • A robber fly (family Asilidae) killed by parasitic fungus (Ophiocordyceps dipterigena). This fungus specializes in feeding on adult flies. After consuming the interior of its host the cream-colored fruiting bodies emerge and release spores to infect new insects. North Sulawesi, Indonesia.
    cld1300104.jpg
  • Fungus beetle (Encaustes sp.) exhibiting Muellerian mimicry of associated ground beetles (Lioptera sp.). Both fungus beetles and ground beetles show the same orange and black patterns and are similarly distasteful to predators. Danum Valley, Sabah, Malaysia (Borneo).
    cld1602318.jpg
  • Although normally solitary, male Longhorn Bees such as these (Thygater sp.), often form sleeping aggregations on the undersides of leaves at night – a behavior aimed at reducing predatory risk. However, this group seems to be unaware of the imminent danger now lurking in their midst: while sleeping, one of their group has quietly been devoured from inside out by a pathogenic fungus (Ophiocordyceps humbertii). Long fruiting bodies now grow from the carcass of the dead bee, eventually releasing copious spores that will colonize the fungi’s next victim. Panamá Oeste, Panama.
    cld2310618.jpg
  • Pleasing fungus beetle (Erotylus incomparabilis). Orellana, Ecuador.
    cld1806928.jpg
  • Warning colorations, such as those exhibited by these tiny fungus beetles (Corynomalus marginatus), which exude a foul chemical when disturbed, doesn’t always guarantee immunity from predators. To enhance their defense, many such insects often cluster in aggregations; not only is there greater safety in numbers but the combined colorations of all the individuals together results in an amplified warning signal that encourages even naive predators to get the message. Yasuní National Park, Ecuador.
    cld1807870.jpg
  • A Cage Fungus (Pseudoclathrus cylindrosporus) grows in the rich decaying humus of Mount Kinabalu's montane rainforest. Flies, which are attracted to the strong putrid odor, disperse the spores which are found in a brown slime secreted on the inner surface of the receptaculum. Sabah, Malaysia (Borneo).
    cld10052325.jpg
  • Deep within a cave in Mulu National Park, the sticky threads secreted by the larvae of a fungus midge (family Mycetophilidae) function as a trap for small flying insects.  When ensnared in this trap, prey are reeled in and eaten. Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
    cld09101402.jpg
  • A Golden Forest Ant (Polyrhachis ypsilon) has been killed by a parasitic Ophiocordyceps fungus which has consumed its body. Before dying, the behaviour of infected ants is controlled by the fungus, and are directed to climb to a suitable location usually on the underside of a leaf. There the fungus kills its host and produces fruiting bodies which releases spores to infect more ants below. Sabah, Malaysia (Borneo).
    cld1407827.jpg
  • In one of the most ancient instances of monoculture, Macrotermes termites cultivate gardens of Termitomyces fungus as a form of external digestion, enabling the break down plant lignin for their consumption. Here, soldiers and nymphs of M. gilvus attend their fungus comb, found deep within their subterranean nest. Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
    cld1905209.jpg
  • In one of the most ancient instances of monoculture, Macrotermes termites cultivate gardens of Termitomyces fungus as a form of external digestion, enabling the break down plant lignin for their consumption. Here, soldiers and nymphs of M. gilvus attend their fungus comb, found deep within their subterranean nest. Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
    cld1905186.jpg
  • Cup-fungus (Cookeina tricholoma). Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
    cld1303088.jpg
  • Although the ‘zombie ants’ are undoubtedly the most infamous, entomopathogenic fungi come in a great diversity of species, many of which specialize in a particular type of prey. Here, a weevil has been killed by Ophiocordyceps curculionum, and is now a host to three fruiting bodies that have been releasing new spores. Like the mind-controlling fungi in ants, this pathogen similarly manipulates the weevil like a puppeteer to position itself in the ideal spot before it dies. Yasuní National Park, Ecuador.
    cld2011437s.jpg
  • With almost a sinister beauty, this garden of parasitoid fungus (possibly Akanthomyces) sprouts its fruiting bodies from the back of a moth it has killed. These release millions of microscopic spores which are dispersed into the surrounding area. When ingested by another insect they spell certain doom. Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
    cld1712356.jpg
  • Not all mushrooms have gills, as a view from underneath these delicate pore fungi (Favolaschia pustulosa) reveals. This species is widespread in Southeast Asia on decaying wood. Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
    cld1511875.jpg
  • Madagascan Reed Frog (Heterixalus madagascariensis), possibly killed by chytrid fungus which has arrived in Madagascsar in recent years. Akanin'ny Nofy, Madagascar.
    cld1720315.jpg
  • Bullet Ant (Paraponera clavata) killed by parasitoid fungi (Ophiocordyceps ponerinarum). Yasuní National Park, Ecuador.
    cld1807585.jpg
  • Bee killed by entomopathogenic fungi (Ophiocordyceps sp.). Maliau Basin Conservation Area, Sabah, Malaysia (Borneo).
    cld1933478s.jpg
  • Cup fungi (Cookeina sp.). Papua, Indonesia (New Guinea).
    cld1913021.jpg
  • Moth killed by Akanthomyces fungi. Yasuní National Park, Ecuador.
    cld1807563.jpg
  • The haunting hollow skeleton of a fly is all that remains after being consumed alive by a parasitoid fungi (Ophiocordyceps cf. dipterigena) in the New Guinean rainforest. Two different types of fruiting bodies have emerged from the fly's body: the dorsal 'mushrooms' (ascostroma) are perfectly positioned to release tiny spores on the fungi's next victim. The tropics hold a great diversity of these entomopathogenic fungi, with undoubtedly many undescribed species, each apparently tailored to target specific insect hosts. West Papua, Indonesia.
    cld1914721.jpg
  • There is a magic moment that exists between the end of day and the fall of night - in the Bornean rainforest this is signaled by the wailing of cicadas, with the deepening darkness abruptly revealing many things that were unseen in the light. Here, a cluster of Luminous Porecaps (Favolaschia manipularis) begin to show their innate greenish glow at dusk. It is believed that this bioluminescence plays a role in spore dispersal: in the still air of the rainforest understory these mushrooms gain and advantage by having wood-feeding insects (which are attracted to their light) carry the spore to new locations. Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
    cld2118134.jpg
  • Mushrooms (Amanita virgineoides). Tanjung Datu National Park, Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
    cld1503564.jpg
  • Wax-tailed Planthopper (Pterodictya reticularis). The waxy filaments may serve to mimic an insect that has been keeled by parasitoid fungi, and thus dispel a predator's interest. Yasuní National Park, Ecuador.
    cld1807573.jpg
  • A cluster of large mushrooms (Armillaria sp.) emerges from the forest floor in Maliau Basin Conservation Area in northern Borneo. Parasitic on woody plants, Armillaria fungi can spread over large areas and be fatal to many tree species. Sabah, Malaysia (Borneo).
    cld1802324.jpg
  • Veiled Stinkhorn (Phallus indusiatus). Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
    cld1700110.jpg
  • It is probable that the luminescent quality of these small mushrooms (Favolaschia manipularis) serve to attract nocturnal insects which will aid in spore dispersal. Bako National Park, Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
    cld07052356.jpg
  • Orange Faint Foot Mushroom (Heimiomyces tenuipes). Batang Ai, Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
    cld1304937.jpg
  • Luminous Porecap (Favolaschia manipularis), releasing spores. Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
    cld2112938.jpg
  • Unidentified mushrooms. Danum Valley Conservation Area, Sabah, Malaysia (Borneo).
    cld1907708.jpg
  • The luminescent nature of a cluster of seemingly ordinary mushrooms (Favolaschia manipularis) becomes revealed in the darkening dusk of the Borneo rainforest. Sabah, Malaysia (Borneo).
    cld1408012.jpg
  • Veiled Stinkhorn (Phallus indusiatus). Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
    cld1700103.jpg
  • Fairy Inkcap (Coprinellus disseminatus). Mulu National Park, Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
    cld1929192.jpg
  • With its rough skin texture and mottled green coloration, it’s easy to see how the Mossy Rain Frog (Pristimantis museosus) is well equipped to blend in with the damp forests in which it dwells. This frog is endemic to the mountains of central Panama, a region which has seen drastic declines in many amphibians over the past few decades due to the introduction of the virulent chytrid fungus. Like other species of Pristimantis, the females of P. museosus lay large eggs that do not require water – the tadpoles transform into froglets entirely within the egg itself. This adaptation may have provided this species with some protection against chytrid, since the fungus most easily transfers among those species which breed in bodies of water. Nevertheless, this frog remains highly threatened and has disappeared from multiple sites across its range. Panamá Oeste, Panama.
    cld2310545.jpg
  • This predaceous ground beetle (Lioptera plato) exhibits a distinctive warning color pattern which is commonly repeated among many different species of beetles (including a commonly associated fungus beetle Epicaustes) that all share a similar habitat niche. Because all species appear to share a distasteful chemical defense this may be a possible example of Mullerian mimicry. Danum Valley, Sabah, Malaysia (Borneo).
    cld1602329.jpg
  • Similar to the Dendrobatid poison frogs, harlequin toads (Atelopus spp.) are also brightly colored, day-active, and highly toxic. They also comprise one of the most endangered groups of amphibians in the neotropics, with many species listed as Critically Endangered and others presumed extinct in the wild. Aside from habitat loss and threats from introduced species, they appear particularly susceptible to the amphibian-killing chytrid fungus, which has completely wiped out many wild populations. This Atelopus spurrelli is endemic to the Chocóan rainforest of coastal Colombia.
    cld1812850.jpg
  • Darkling beetle (Cuphotes erichsoni), mimic of unpalatable fungus beetles (Gibbifer spp., Erotylidae). Yasuní National Park, Ecuador.
    cld2008014.jpg
  • Leaf-cutter Ants (Atta laevigata) return to their nest carring sections of leaves which will be used to feed their underground fungus gardens. Canaima National Park, Venezuela.
    cld09012990.jpg
  • Camouflage or a more cunning mimicry? Although cryptically patterned, this flatid planthopper from the Madagascan rainforest doesn't appear to blend particularly well against the tree bark on which it rests. However, a closer examination of its lace-like texture reveals that it is covered with filamentous white tufts, giving it a remarkable resemblance to an insect corpse that has been consumed by an entomopathogenic fungus. Given the abundance of such fungi in these wet forests, and their undesirability as food, this may be a clever strategy to deceive predators. Andasibe, Madagascar.
    cld1719619.jpg