Return of the zombie cicadas: Manipulative qualities of fungal-infected flyers
Monday, July 27, 2020 - 16:30
in Biology & Nature
Cicadas infected with the parasitic fungus Massospora unknowingly engage in trickery with their fellow insects, resulting in effective disease transmission, according to new research. Massospora manipulates male cicadas into flicking their wings like females - a mating invitation - which tempts unsuspecting male cicadas and infects them.