How To 6 Surprising Zombie Cicadas Fungus Facts

Zombie Cicadas Fungus! This spring, billions of cicadas will come out. They’ve been underground for over a decade. These insects will head to the trees, singing to find mates. But some will be controlled by a strange fungus. This fungus takes over the cicadas‘ bodies and behavior.¹

The zombie cicadas fungus attacks the cicadas in shocking ways. It destroys their privacy. Then, it fills their bodies with fungal spores. This makes the bugs behave in very strange ways.

Infected cicadas spread the zombie cicadas fungus more by acting overly interested in mating. They become what scientists call “saltshakers of death.” This makes them seem like they’re out of a scary movie. But according to Dr. John Cooley from the University of Connecticut, the real story is even weirder than fiction.

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Key Takeaways

Billions of cicadas will emerge this spring after over a decade underground.
The fungus Massospora cicadina infects some cicadas, turning them into “zombie” cicadas with altered behaviors.
Infected cicadas exhibit abnormal sexual behavior, such as male cicadas mimicking females to attract mates.
The fungus is found in more than half a dozen states and can infect up to 20-30% cicadas in some areas.
While the fungus is not a threat to humans, it does produce natural amphetamines that may influence the insects’ behavior.

Unveiling the Bizarre World of zombie cicadas fungus

The Emergence: Billions of Cicadas Rise from the Soil

Periodical cicadas, unlike most bugs, lay eggs in tree branches. When the eggs hatch, tiny cicadas fall to the ground and dig in. They might have lived underground for 13 or 17 years. During this time, they suck sap from trees.

Massospora Cicadina: The Fungus That Turns Cicadas into zombie cicadas fungus

Something strange happened. The cicadas find themselves in contact with the Massospora cicadina fungus. It’s a mystery when this happens – it could be underground or after they come out. This fungus changes the cicadas into zombies. It grows a lot in the cicadas’ bellies, taking over them.

Fungal Infection Process: From Spores to Behavioral Control

This infection probably happens when the nymphs are turning into adults. Although we know of one fungus species, there could be more we haven’t found yet. This might lead to new ways to control these pests.

Some cicadas infected by the fungus look odd but won’t hurt us. Their numbers don’t drop much because they can still have babies.

² A strange fungus, Massospora cicadina, targets periodical cicadas, like the ones from Brood X, that show up every 13 or 17 years. Only a small number of cicadas, about 5%, get infected by this fungus.

Gruesome Transformation: Cicadas Become “Saltshakers of Death”

At a certain point, the back end of a cicada, even its genitals, falls off. In their place, you see a white fungal plug. It’s like “a clump of spores that are erupting out of where the genitals and abdomen once were,” says Dr. Matt Kasson from West Virginia University.³ Even with just a chalky gumdrop of spores, the cicadas try to mate, excitedly.³

Abdominal Mutilation: The Loss of Genitals and the Fungal Plug

The fungus changes how cicadas act, making them extra interested in mating. Kasson and his team call this behavior hypersexualization.³ The males still try to mate with females. Also, they start behaving in ways that attract other males.³

Hypersexualized Behavior: Infected Cicadas’ Mating Frenzy

Scientists nickname these infected cicadas “flying saltshakers of death” because they spread the spores in the air.³ Even though they can’t mate anymore because of the plugs, they’re very active in trying to.³

All this doesn’t really threaten the total cicada population. Kasson and his colleagues don’t think these cicadas are a danger to us.³

The Amphetamine Connection: Fungi’s Mind-Altering Compounds

Kasson and team discovered something exciting about cicadas. They found amphetamines in the fungal plugs these bugs like to sit on. Kasson explains this could be what’s changing their behavior.²

Amphetamines are strong stimulants for humans. Yet, Cooley points out an interesting fact. He says bugs like cicadas and humans have different nervous systems. So, the way amphetamines work on humans might not be the same for insects.²

Cathinone: A Potential Explanation for Behavioral Modification

There’s a puzzle, says Cooley. The fungus is making a potent psychoactive chemical. But this chemical might not really do much to the cicadas.²

He thinks the fungus uses a unique way to control the cicadas. The amphetamines it makes could be a defense against animals that eat cicadas. In this way, the fungus, not the cicada, might be the real target.²

Psychoactive Chemicals: Warding Off Predators or Affecting Insects?

⁴ Massospora fungus in cicadas holds cathinone. This substance keeps the cicadas awake for a long time, like how speed would. So, it seems to help the fungus spread by keeping the cicadas active.⁴

Also, annual cicadas that are infected have psilocybin. This is the same chemical in magic mushrooms, giving rise to some strange behaviors⁴.

zombie cicadas fungus: A Spectacle of Nature’s Wonders

Kasson said he wants to look at both 17-year and 13-year cicadas. He wants to find out if they have different genes. This is when they get infected by the M. cicadina fungus.

He knows many feel scared about the cicadas coming out soon. Some will get a nasty fungus. Yet, Kasson shares, “It’s nature showing us something amazing. Let’s enjoy it as a unique part of our world.”

The cicadas in Wisconsin come out every 17 years. “This is very special,” says Liesch. It’s not just great for studying, but it also feeds many animals.

“Birds, fish, mammals, for example, will be gorging on these things,” he said. “It’s essentially a free buffet for about a month or a month and a half while they’re active.”⁵

Last Wednesday, Kasson checked out Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. He thinks it’s the best spot for cicadas in the state. “I saw tens of thousands of cicadas,” he shared. “Three had the fungus.”

The Concurrent Emergence: 17-Year and 13-Year Broods Unite

This spring, both 17-year and 13-year cicadas will come out at the same time. The 17-year ones will be in northern Illinois. The 13-year cicadas will appear mostly in the Midwest and Southeast.⁶

It’s rare for these two broods to come out together. This last happened in 1803.⁶ Yet, they probably won’t meet in the same places this spring.

A Rare Phenomenon: The Last Time These Broods Overlapped

In 1803, Brood XIII and Brood XIX emerged together in the U.S. This year, we see a rare repeat of that event, after 221 years.⁷ The next time this might happen is in 2245.⁶ Such a dual emergence is quite unusual.

Studying Genetic Differences: Insights into Massospora Cicadina

Kasson’s study plans include looking at the infected cicadas from both the 17-year and 13-year broods. He wants to know if there are any genetic differences in the fungus infecting them.

He hopes to learn more about the genetics of Massospora cicadina, the fungus that can make cicadas act like zombies.⁷

Safety Concerns: Can Humans Get Infected?

Cicadas can be eaten, but choosing carefully is advised, according to Kasson.⁸ Select adult cicadas that are not at the end of their lives or already dead.⁸

He warns against eating them, even if they might have the M. cicadina infection.⁸ If a person or their pets eat an infected cicada, they won’t get high. The amount of drugs is too small to cause an effect.⁸

Also, for fans of “The Last of Us,” this infection only affects cicadas. It doesn’t spread to people, so there’s no need to worry about turning into zombies.⁹⁸

No Risk to Humans: The Fungus Is Specialized in Cicadas

The Massospora fungus only affects cicadas, not humans.⁹ This type of fungus does not usually spread to people from animals or insects.¹⁰

Handling Infected Cicadas: Precautions and Hygiene

If you’re considering eating cicadas, avoid the dead or dying ones, especially if they might be infected with M. cicadina.⁸ It’s important to maintain good hygiene to stop non-invasive Candida from spreading.¹⁰

In healthcare settings, preventing invasive Candida auris infections is key. Measures to control these infections are essential.¹⁰

Environmental Impact: A Free Buffet for Predators

Kasson talked about the fear people have over the upcoming¹¹ cicada event. He mentioned a fungus that might infect 10% of them. He viewed it as a spectacular part of nature. Kasson urged everyone to see it as one of the world’s natural wonders.¹¹

In Wisconsin, the 17-year cicadas are here. Liesch thinks it’s a unique time. It’s not just special for scientists like him but also for the whole environment.¹²

Birds, Fish, and Mammals: Feasting on the Cicada Feast

Kasson explained how many animals will enjoy the cicadas. “Birds, fish, mammals, for example, will be gorging on these things,” he said. They will have a month or month and a half of plentiful food.¹²

The Ecological Importance of Periodical Cicadas

Cicadas are key in ecosystems and food chains.¹² Their unique event provides much-needed food for many predators.

The sudden appearance of these insects highlights the delicate balance in nature.

Witnessing a Natural Wonder: The Significance of This Emergence

Kasson is planning to look at bugs from the two broods. He wants to find out if the cicadas have different genes. This is when the cicadas from the 17 and 13-year broods will come out together.

He understands why some might be scared. The idea of a fungus infecting up to 10% of them is creepy.

But, he says, “it’s a biological spectacle. And I think we should just appreciate this as one of the natural wonders of the world.”⁸

A Spectacle to Behold: Appreciating Nature’s Marvels

Liesch shared his story from Wisconsin. He was in Lake Geneva, known as a great place to see cicadas. “I saw tens of thousands of cicadas,” he mentioned. “And found three with the fungus plug.”¹³

Studying the Infection Rates: Variations and Potential Impacts

Kasson hopes to learn more about the infected bugs. He wants to see if there are differences in the fungus between the two broods.

He’s excited because the cicadas from both the 17 and 13-year broods will come out at the same time. This hasn’t happened since 1803. But there won’t be much overlap in where they are.

Conclusion

The periodical cicadas’ emergence is truly amazing. It shows us how complex nature can be, with insects, fungi, and the world around them all linked. Even though the Massospora cicadina fungus may sound scary, it’s an example of nature’s creativity. We can learn a lot from studying these “zombie cicadas.” This knowledge can help with pest control and deepen our natural world understanding.¹⁴

This event allows scientists to look at the genetic differences in these cicadas. The 17-year and 13-year cicadas are coming out together. This means researchers can see how different Massospora strains are affecting them. This study helps us learn about the fungi’s changes and how they survive over time.¹⁵

Seeing this event should make us feel amazed, not scared.¹⁴ Although “zombie cicadas” are strange, they highlight life’s variety. They remind us of how rich and diverse our planet is.

This event is a chance to study these unique creatures. It helps us see the deep connections that support life on Earth.¹⁴ [Looks good! Please format the article with the headings and content.]

FAQ

What is the Massospora cicadina fungus that infects periodical cicadas?

Massospora cicadina is a fungus that affects periodical cicadas. It makes cicadas lose their genitals, replacing them with a white fungal substance. This fungus makes cicadas act wildly to spread its spores.

How does the Massospora cicadina fungus infect and control the cicadas?

The fungus spores get into the cicadas’ bodies. They create a spore mass in the cicadas’ abdomens, making their back end, including genitals, fall off. Then, it changes their behavior, making them very interested in mating but without their genitals.

What is the connection between the fungus and amphetamines?

Scientists found an amphetamine-like substance in the fungal plugs that replace the cicadas’ genitals. This might explain why the cicadas behave so strangely, as amphetamines are very strong stimulants. It’s not clear if these substances work the same on cicadas as they do in vertebrates.

Are the zombie cicadas a threat to humans?

The Massospora cicadina fungus only targets periodical cicadas, not humans. Even if someone eats an infected cicada, they should not worry about the amphetamines because the amount is tiny. This fungus is specialized and cannot affect people.

What is the significance of the concurrent emergence of 17-year and 13-year cicada broods?

This spring, both 17-year and 13-year cicadas are coming out in close areas. It’s a rare event since 1803. Scientists are excited to see the differences in the fungus and the cicadas’ genes during this period.

How should people approach the upcoming cicada emergence?

People might find the zombie-like cicadas and their infections creepy. However, experts say this is a unique event in nature. It’s a key part of the ecosystem, offering food for other animals. People are advised not to eat infected cicadas. Otherwise, they can enjoy watching this natural event.