fungus

A fungus turns beetles into zombies and makes them die on flowers; scientists say the timing helps infect the next generation

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A fungus turns beetles into zombies and makes them die on flowers; scientists say the timing helps infect the next generation

A fungus infecting goldenrod soldier beetles can alter their behaviour before death and cause changes to their bodies afterwards. Researchers investigating Eryniopsis lampyridarum found infected Chauliognathus pensylvanicus beetles clamped their mandibles tightly onto flower heads shortly before dying. Between 15 and 22 hours after death, the fungus caused the beetles to raise their hardened forewings … Read more

Scientists found a fungus that turns female flies into zombies, then uses their dead bodies to spread spores to healthy flies

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Scientists found a fungus that turns female flies into zombies, then uses their dead bodies to spread spores to healthy flies

A fungus that infects house flies has evolved a remarkable way to send spores towards new hosts. Entomophthora muscae grows inside an infected fly and, after the insect dies, it produces microscopic stalks that emerge from its body. Each stalk forms a single spore at its tip. Instead of simply dropping away, the spore is … Read more