What Attracts Nomadic Fungus Spores

The Nomadic Fungi Institute has continued with the analysis of the Nomadic Fungus specimen - BP OTT-NF2014.

As noted in the previous document Extraction Of Fertile Nomadic Fungus Spores, NFI has successfully extracted spore samples and is now focusing on how those spores interact with the environment and what materials they respond to.

Unlike most molds and fungi, the Nomadic Fungus spores do not thrive on rotting organic materials such as wood or food stuffs. In fact if the Nomadic Fungus spores are forced to remain in such an environment they shrivel up and quickly disintegrate. Surprisingly, Nomadic Fungus spores will bounce off of natural fibers such as cotton or silk, but will become firmly entangled in the fibers of the shag carpet.

It has been noted in controlled lab tests that the airborne Nomadic Fungus spores are more inclined to land on materials made from plastic, rubber, or steel. Surfaces coated with petroleum based products such as KY jelly or 10W-30 motor oil will attract the Nomadic Fungus spores with an almost magnetic pull, whereas liquids such as distilled water or vegetable oil have the opposite effect, repelling the Nomadic Fungus spore away.

These early observations suggest that the Nomadic Fungus spores have evolved to thrive in habitats that are composed of modern industrial products, and that the ideal environment for the germination and propagation of NF spores is the automobile.

Nomadic Fungi on Instagram

The Nomadic Fungi Institute is now posting on Instagram at @nomadic_fungi ,also look for hashtag #nomadicfungi

As part of our long range goal to spread the word about Nomadic Fungi, NFI has steadily been building an online presence, first by constructing the NFI wed site: The World Of Nomadic Fungi, then launching into the field of social media with our own FaceBook Page. Now, NFI has stepped up the pace with the addition of an Instagram account: @nomadic_fungi 

On @nomadic_fungi you will find images posted directly from the NFI staff. Some of these images will be official documents that include brief descriptions, and some will be off the cuff photos, a view into the world of NFI.

For the most complete information and news always visit the NFI web site at www.WorldOfNomadicFungi.com  

Extraction Of Fertile Nomadic Fungus Spores

With the recent acquisition of the BP Oil Transport Truck Nomadic Fungus specimen NFI has begun the very delicate process of examination and documentation.

We can verify at this point that the specimen produces ballistospores, which is a spore that is discharged into the air once the fungus has come into maturity. This specimen appears to be just short of maturing and discharging its first ballistosposes.

Using a 5X magnification lamp and micro-tweezers NFI has extracted a few spore samples. These spores which are practically invisible to the naked eye are structurally very solid and have evolved to float on the lightest puff of wind.

A Fresh Sample Walks in the Door

Most of the information that the Nomadic Fungi Institute gathers comes by way of digging through dusty filing cabinets located in musty library basements, or from people who commonly begin their statements with My Uncle once told me... or I found these strange photographs in an old shoe box.

It's not often that someone walks into the NFI office, pulls a large chuck of organic material from their pocket and says I'll trade this for a 4.10 shotgun.

One look at the plump purple and red mass the he held in his hand and we were on the phone to the local gun shop...

Our friendly barter from Lower Mud Lake Louisiana told us he saw this slimy treelike thing growing on a broken down BP oil transport truck. He was out hunting rabbits at the time, so with a few well placed shots he was able to extract a sample. Unfortunately, in his hast to vacate the area he dropped his shotgun, and due to the security guards chasing him he was unable to turn around and retrieve it.

As for the sample, it does indeed appear to be from the fungus family, and judging by the size of it's radiating lamellae it came from something much, much bigger than your average store bought portobello. The sample appears to be relatively fresh, meaty, and even slightly moist to the touch. It is quite possible that it could still produce fertile spores. But don't worry, as you can see in the photograph above, NFI has taken the appropriate precautions to contain and document this highly prized specimen.

Thank You To Our Supporters For A Wonderful 2013

As the sun sets behind the NFI filing cabinets, we would like to take a moment to thank all the people that have supported NFI during our first year of public operation. Your input of advice, time and legal tender has enable us to reach several of our goals and has set us up for a fantastic 2014.

2013 saw the launch of the NFI web site World Of Nomadic Fungi, which immediately jumped into the publication of our first of four eye witness accounts. We also posted information from the Wobblers Encyclopedia of Parasitic Fungi that focused on the natural history of Nomadic Fungus.

A real land mark was our acquisition of documents from the Bureau of Scientific Analysis and Protection pertaining to military testing of parasitic fungus.

And lets not forget the first known video footage of a Nomadic Fungi actually moving of its own accord.

The NFI presented at two public venues this year, the Art Conspiracy and the Art.Science.Gallery. Each enabled us to spread the word about Nomadic Fungi.

TWe also had the release of the NFI logo which may sound like a small thing but believe me, it is so very nice to have NFI letterhead that reflects the professional dedication that we and our supporters feel.

NFI is already hard at work making plans for 2014. You'll read more eye witness accounts, see more publications of documents, as well as the release of the Nomadic Fungi Advisory Chart.

There will be more public events, and if our computer technicians can manage it, the World Of Nomadic Fungi web site will soon have a shop page where you can sign up to become a NFI member. Thank You gifts such as limited edition prints, booklets and buttons will be available as enticing incentives.

Cheers to a great start and a fantastic 2014 to everyone!

Dr. B.F. Smith PhD

Nomadic Fungi Institute Logo Launch

As part of the Nomadic Fungi Institute's mission to inform the community about the spread of the parasitic fungus known as Nomadic Fungi we are very happy to announce the launch of the official NFI logo.

To mark this event the NFI has created a limited edition of artists trading cards. Fifteen of these artists trading cards will be included in the Art/Science Trading Card event at the Art.Science.Gallery in Austin Texas. Another fifteen will be included in the second annual Pagan Potluck event at the Liz Morris estate in Dallas Texas.

The NFI logo will be used on all official NFI letterhead and documents. It will also be incorporated into NFI field surveys as a marker of known Nomadic Fungi activity.

The NFI logo will be posted at Nomadic Fungi contamination sites in order to warn the public that they are entering an area with known levels of Nomadic Fungi spore activity. The NFI logo will use a color code system similar to the one used by the Homeland Security Advisory System in monitoring the threat of terrorist attacks, ie: Yellow- Guarded, Orange- Elevated, Red- High, Purple- Severe.

Documents Point To Military Testing Of Cordyceps Fungus

The Nomadic Fungi Institute has come into possession of documents that were released by the Bureau of Scientific Analysis and Protection (BSAP) through the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). These documents cover a time period when secret military testing was being preformed on a genus of parasitic fungus known as Cordyceps. The code name for this project was the Nomadic Fungi Project*.  

The BSAP used the FOIA's exempt information clause to heavily censor these documents with long blackened bars obscuring a majority of the text. Judging from what can be gleamed from the documents much of the photographic documentation has been removed. 

Our preliminary studies indicate that the Nomadic Fungi Project began testing in the late 1950s, focusing on the invasive characteristics of a parasitic fungus known as Cordyceps, and how to optimize its ability to immobilize victims. Apparently it was a fluke that the researchers created a cordyceps that was quite effective at de-mobilizing motorized vehicles. The only drawback was the extended time required by the fungus spores to germinate.

Beginning in 1962, experimentation was being conducted on the spores, focusing on speeding up the germination process. By 1967 a cultivated spore was developed that cut the germination time down from two months to just under one week (5-6 days). 

There were serious concerns voiced at this time concerning the containment of such an aggressive fungus, and what would happen if a containment breach were to occur. Despite these concerns testing and development continued until Febuary 19^th, 1971 when President Nixon suddenly shelved the project and all documents were sealed.

Over the next few months the Nomadic Fungi Institute will be posting more from this cache of documents.

Mr. Rotifer H. Wobbler

*Apparently our Founder Mr. Rotifer H. Wobbler based the name of the Nomadic Fungi Institute on the rumored existence of this secret military testing project. Unfortunately due to his sudden disappearance in 1973 and the fire that destroyed his home, we cannot be certain.