According to recent findings, an in-flight fungus that takes over the behavior of female flies before exploding from their abdomen is far worse than previously imagined.
Fungus Entomophthora muscae, which translates to “fly killer,” attacks houseflies as well as other insects, including the common fruit fly. For the next few days after ingesting the fungus’ particles, a fly acts as if nothing had happened. Innards are being eaten by the fungus, which has taken over its neurological system.
The fly starts to act strangely 4 to 5 days just after spores have entered. In what is dubbed “summitting” activity, it clings to a high area using fluids from its own mouth to hold itself in position. It starts to twitch as soon as it’s on top of the tree.
Once its wings have been extended, the fly dies in a strange posture. The fly’s abdomen is filled with fungus at this point. For just some reason, the strange fungus exclusively kills at night, keeping true to its name. The spores may spread by ascending to a higher altitude, but the vertical orientation of the wings also offers a benefit. In the act of mating with the dead corpse, the male insects will get afflicted with the parasites.
As the body decomposes, the necrophilia becomes more extreme, according to a new study from Copenhagen University.
Using a disturbing study, researchers contrasted the response of male flies near female cadavers that had been infected and those who had not. It was the decaying females who attracted the most attention from males, as they seemed to be open to mating. In fact, the more the females were deceased, the more serious the problem became.
Here, Entomophthora muscae may be of use. As a biological insect management, we might employ the same fungal scents to lure normal males to something like a fly cage rather than a dead body.
