A fungus which turns bugs into sex-crazed zombies has been discovered by scientists.
By Charlotte Edwards, The Sun June 27, 2019
Once cicada insects are infected with the Massospora cicadina virus, they will mate until their genitals fall off and they turn into “flying salt shakers of death.” This research was published in the journal Fungal Ecology.
Scientists from West Virginia University in the US found that the fungus contained an amphetamine and a psychoactive chemical that caused a similar effect to magic mushrooms.
Matt Kasson, a forest pathologist from the university, said: “These psychoactive compounds were just two of less than 1,000 compounds found in these
It also affects the cicada’s brain like a psychoactive drug so they turn into sex-crazed zombies and will not stop breeding until they die. They won’t even be deterred when their bodies start to go moldy and their genitals fall off.
The scientists think that some chemicals in the fungus are suppressing the appetites of the infected insects so they think of nothing but sex.
This study is important because the way the fungus works and its impact on the brain could aid new pharmaceutical discoveries.
“We anticipate these discoveries will foster a renewed interest in early diverging fungi and their pharmacologically important secondary metabolites, which may serve as the next frontier for novel drug discovery,” Kasson said. cicadas.”
It’s thought that a small fraction of cicadas are infected when they emerge as adults from fungus spores in the soil or on the wings of other insects.
This then develops into a full-blown infection that can encourage male hosts to flap their wings more so they attract more males and spread the disease.
It also affects the cicada’s brain like a psychoactive drug so they turn into sex-crazed zombies and will not stop breeding until they die. They won’t even be deterred when their bodies start to go moldy and their genitals fall off.
The scientists think that some chemicals in the fungus are suppressing the appetites of the infected insects so they think of nothing but sex.
This study is important because the way the fungus works and its impact on the brain could aid new pharmaceutical discoveries.
“We anticipate these discoveries will foster a renewed interest in early diverging fungi and their pharmacologically important secondary metabolites, which may serve as the next frontier for novel drug discovery,” Kasson said.
It’s thought that a small fraction of cicadas are infected when they emerge as adults from fungus spores in the soil or on the wings of other insects.
This then develops into a full-blown infection that can encourage male hosts to flap their wings more so they attract more males and spread the disease.
It also affects the cicada’s brain like a psychoactive drug so they turn into sex-crazed zombies and will not stop breeding until they die. They won’t even be deterred when their bodies start to go moldy and their genitals fall off.
The scientists think that some chemicals in the fungus are suppressing the appetites of the infected insects so they think of nothing but sex.
This study is important because the way the fungus works and its impact on the brain could aid new pharmaceutical discoveries.
“We anticipate these discoveries will foster a renewed interest in early diverging fungi and their pharmacologically important secondary metabolites, which may serve as the next frontier for novel drug discovery,” Kasson said.
Scientists discover fungus that is turning cicadas into sex addicts
