The fungus forces cicadas to mate when they lose their genitals

A parasitic fungus not only explodes cicadic belly to spread spores but also controls them to mate to death to increase infection .

Scientists discovered new details about a fungus that forced a host of cicadas to mate for long periods of time even after losing their genitals. The fungus called Massospora cicadina affects cicadas by stimulating them to mate continuously. The research results are published in the journal Fungal Ecology.

A cicada has a fungus infection.(Photo: Doug Wechsler).

The US team conducted biochemical analyzes with fungal cicadas and found evidence of two neurochemicals."These compounds are just two of nearly 1,000 compounds found in cicadas. The results are remarkable because many compounds can be harmful to humans , " pathologist Matt Kasson of the University of the West. Virgin said.

In the second stage of infection, fungi thrive within the host's body. To increase the rate of infection, M. cicadina promotes male cicadas to beat their wings like females, attracting other males to stop to approach. After sticking with fungal spores, the victim continues to fly to find partners and sow diseases for his fellow. M. cicadina mushrooms even turn them into non-stop mating machines. Even when cicada bodies become moldy and begin to lose parts including the abdomen and genitalia, they do not stop.

"The infected adult cicadas maintain or accelerate mating activity during spore formation, contributing to rapid and wide dispersal of fungal spores before death, " Kasson explained.

In four cicadina cicadas, the team found signs of cathinone compounds similar to ephedrine stimulants. It is possible that M. cicadina develops this substance to give the host more strength to undergo mating that lasts from day to day. Another compound found in psychedelic mushrooms called psilocybin is also found, which helps the fungus inhibit the taste of cicadas, thereby controlling their behavior.

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