While cordyceps have been known to infect and consume other fungi and insects, such as caterpillars, they have not been known to infect humans. Some of the primary reasons this may be the case are the complexity of the human immune system and higher body temperatures than the typical hosts of cordyceps. While cordyceps have been known to infect and consume other fungi and insects, such as caterpillars, they have not been known to infect humans. Some of the primary reasons this may be the case are the complexity of the human immune system and higher body temperatures than the typical hosts of cordyceps.