Question

If fungi of the genus Cordyceps are ingested by insects, fruiting bodies from the fungi will form and erupt through the bodies of the insects and then kill the insect hosts. Since Cordyceps are using the insects as a host for growth and dispersal, these fungi are an example of_________.

Answer 1

Parasitic fungi

Step-by-step explanation:

Parasitic interaction is the interaction between two organisms in which one organism called parasite lives in or on its host body and get nutrition from the host body. In this interaction, parasite is benefitted and the host is harmed. The parasite uses the host for growth and reproduction.

So, in this case, cordyceps are using insect as a host and take nutrition from its host to grow and disperse therefore this fungi is an example of parasitic fungi. So by parasitism cordyceps is increasing its survivability. So these fungi are an example of parasitic fungi.