Parasitic fungi cause the cicadic belly to explode to spread spores

Research by American scientists reveals the terrifying relationship between a species and its host is cicadas.

Scientists at the University of Connecticut, USA, learned in detail how the fungus Massospora cicadina infects many cicadas, before manipulating their behavior and causing their stomachs to explode, causing cicadas to be mated to mate. despite loss of sexual organs, according to Science Alert. The findings are published in Nature Scientific Reports on January 22, 2018.

White fungal spores on cicadas were abdomen exploded.(Photo: Science Alert).

M. cicadina becomes famous for invading cystic abdominal cavity and exploding the host's abdomen to disperse spores. As a result, cicadas lose nearly half their bodies from the waist down. The first scientific description of the mushroom was published in 1879. "It was an interesting story for us, but not very happy with cicadas," said lead researcher John Cooley.

When cicada cocoons prepare to rise after spending 17 years to grow underground, dormant spores stick to cicadas' outer shells awakened by the host's body compounds, signaling it's time to infect and multiply. About 2-5% of cicadas in the United States are infected in the first stage fungal infection, but the purpose of M. cicadina is not only spread.

M. cicadina also resides in cicadas, affecting both males and females. But the male started acting strangely early. In addition to normal mating behavior, they beat their wings in a female-like manner. As a result, they can transmit the fungus through sex. Females infected with parasites also transmit fungi to uninfected males that want to mate with them.

Spores gradually fill the stomach of cicadas infected with the fungus until it hardens and explodes. As a result, the sex organs of cicadas are lost but they still feel compelled to mate. Cicadas infected from the same type are called second stage fungal infections and they also follow the same infectious cycle.