Due to climate change and lack of biodiversity in our forests they are weakened and suscetible to parasites like the bark beetle. But astonishingly the beetle works together with a fungus partner that allows it to specifically track down weakened trees.
The "Cordyceps" on the other hand is a sought after & vital fungus, which grows naturally on insect larvae and thus contributes to a balance in the ecosystem.
The FUNGINSECT project combines the properties of these two fungi. The symbiotic fungus lures the bark beetles into the trap housed in a capsule in the lid of the prototype and the vital fungus decomposes the bark beetles.
The aim is to regulate a regional overpopulation of the bark beetle
and simultaneously cultivating Cordyceps for medical purposes