Fungus that turns flies into zombies ‘enchants’ healthy males to mate with a fungus-infected female corpse to ensure its survival — and the longer the insect is dead, the more attractive it becomes, study finds
- The study found that 73 percent of male flies mated with female carcasses that had died from the fungal infection 25 to 30 hours earlier.
- Only 15 percent of males mated with female corpses that had been dead for three hours
- The fungus releases a chemical signature that acts as a pheromone to attract unsuspecting males
A fungus that turns houseflies into zombies ensures its survival by “witching” males to mate with the fungus-infected corpses of dead females — and a new study finds that the longer the female is dead, the more attractive it is to it. male.
The fungus, formally known as entomophthora muscae, infects a female fly, slowly eats it alive from the inside, and within about a week the spores take over the behavior of the now-dead insect.
And once it’s in full control, the fungus releases a chemical signature that acts as pheromones to lure unsuspecting males.
As the male parries with the infected female corpse, the fungal spores attach to the male, which in turn also becomes a zombie housefly.
Scientists at the University of Copenhagen found that 73 percent of male flies were mated to female carcasses that had died from the fungal infection 25 to 30 hours earlier.
Only 15 percent of males mated with female corpses that had been dead for three hours.
Scroll down for video
A fungus that turns houseflies into zombies ensures its survival by ‘enchanting’ males to mate with the fungus-infected corpses of dead females — and a new study finds that the longer the female is dead, the more attractive it is to it. male
Henrik H. De Fine Licht, an associate professor in the Department of Environmental and Plant Sciences at the University of Copenhagen and one of the authors of the study, said in a pronunciation: ‘We see that the longer a female fly is dead, the more attractive she becomes to males.
‘This is because the number of fungal spores increases over time, which enhances the tantalizing smells.’
The team believes this discovery could also lead to the development of more effective fly repellents.
Licht adds: ‘Flies are quite unhygienic and can make humans and animals sick by spreading coliform bacteria and any diseases they carry.
Entomophthora muscae turns its victim into a zombie. Once infected, E. muscae causes flies to ascend to a high point and spread their wings like a puppet on a string, to spew spores from their swollen abdomens
There is therefore an incentive to limit the population of house flies, for example in areas where food is produced.
‘This is where the fungus Entomophthora muscae can come in handy. Maybe we can use the same fungal odors as biological pest control that lures healthy males to a flycatcher instead of a corpse.’
Previous studies have already detailed the relentless infection process of E. muscae. The genus name, Entomophthora, translates to “destroyer of insects” — and it’s no surprise why.
Once infected, spores called conidia are produced from the fly — a process called sporulation.
E. muscae causes flies to soar to a high point and spread their wings like a puppet on a string, eventually spewing the spores from their swollen bellies.
The fungus invades the fruit fly’s nervous system, forcing it to make the fatal climb known as ‘apex disease’ before devouring the brain and muscles.
When the fly is dead, the fungi grow a series of micro-sized stems on the corpse, each a pressurized cannon of liquid with a spore that can be ejected out.
Unlucky male flies are attracted to ‘zombie’ female fly bodies – and when they accidentally activate the cannons, they find themselves in a spray of infectious spores.
This ensures that the fungal spores are spread as widely as possible so that the horrific process takes place again on another fly.
In general, the infection process of E. muscae itself is not different between male and female houseflies.
Light is one of the scientists who first discovered how the fungus turns flies into “zombie” necrophiles by releasing the chemical signature.