“Sex-Crazed Zombie Cicadas Infected by Fungus Take Over Eastern and Southern U.S.”

In a bizarre and fascinating turn of events, cicadas in parts of the eastern and southern United States are being infected by a fungus that turns them into sex-crazed “zombies.” The fungus, known as Massospora cicadina, has been observed in cicadas from both Brood XIII, which emerges every 17 years in Illinois, and Brood XIX, a 13-year group found in the southeast.

This year marks the first time these two broods have emerged simultaneously since 1803, adding to the uniqueness of the situation. The fungus is easily identifiable as it replaces the cicada’s abdomen with a chalky white substance, resembling a gumdrop. What makes this fungus particularly intriguing is its ability to keep the cicada alive and active even after a significant portion of its body has been replaced by fungal tissue.

According to Matt Kasson, a professor of forest pathology and mycology at West Virginia University, the fungus actively manipulates the cicada to continue mating in order to spread its spores. Infected cicadas exhibit hypersexual behavior, with males even pretending to be females to mate with other males, further aiding in the spread of the fungus.

Despite the macabre nature of the infection, researchers have found that the fungus produces a stimulant called cathinone, which may induce a state of euphoria in the cicadas. Studies have also reported the presence of hallucinogens in infected cicadas, although the amounts are too small to pose any risk to humans or pets.

While the exact prevalence of Massospora infection among cicadas is not yet known, researchers estimate that it may affect less than 5% of the population, with some areas showing infection rates as high as 20-30%. Climate change and landscape fragmentation could potentially impact the spread of the fungus among cicada populations.

Researchers are actively studying infected cicadas to better understand the dynamics of the fungus and its effects on the cicada population. They encourage the public to report any sightings of infected cicadas to contribute to ongoing research efforts. Despite the eerie nature of the infection, Massospora does not pose a threat to humans, and infected cicadas can be handled safely.

As the cicada population begins to dwindle later this month, the fungus will continue to live on, dispersing spores into the soil to infect future generations of cicadas in 13 or 17 years. The strange and fascinating phenomenon of zombie cicadas serves as a reminder of the intricate and often mysterious interactions between fungi and insects in the natural world.