This Killer Fungus Turns Flies into Zombies | Deep Look

Introduction

This tutorial explores the fascinating and eerie life cycle of the fungus Entomophthora muscae, which infects fruit flies and transforms them into zombie-like hosts. Understanding this process provides insight into parasitic relationships in nature and the potential applications of such organisms.

Step 1: Understanding the Fruit Fly

• The fruit fly, scientifically known as Drosophila melanogaster, is a common insect found in kitchens and laboratories.
• These flies are vectors for the fungus Entomophthora muscae, which preys on them.

Step 2: Infection Process

• The fruit fly ingests fungal spores, usually from contaminated surfaces.
• Once inside, the spores begin to grow, taking control of the fly’s body and behavior.

Step 3: Erratic Behavior

• Infected flies display erratic movements, such as climbing up and down surfaces.
• This behavior is often referred to as "summiting," where the fly ascends to a high point.

Step 4: The Death Pose

• After a few days, the fungus triggers a specific behavior at dusk:
  • The fly climbs to a high surface.
  • It extends its mouthparts downward, allowing a sticky liquid to glue it to the surface.
  • The fly's wings rise and it dies in a characteristic upward pose.

Step 5: Spore Release

• Following the fly's death, the fungus begins to emerge from its abdomen:
  • A white, spongy mass forms, which contains lollipop-shaped structures.
  • These structures launch microscopic spores into the environment to infect new flies.

Step 6: Mechanism of Control

• The fungus manipulates the fly's neural pathways to induce specific behaviors:
  • It acts like a puppeteer, controlling the host’s movements to maximize spore dispersal.
• Understanding this mechanism raises questions about how fungi can influence host behavior.

Step 7: Potential Applications

• Scientists are exploring whether insights from this fungus could be applied in pest control:
  • Using similar fungi could provide a biological method to manage fly populations.
• While the fungus poses no threat to humans, studying its mechanisms could advance our understanding of parasitism and behavior manipulation.

Conclusion

The life cycle of Entomophthora muscae showcases the complex and often gruesome relationships in nature. By studying how this fungus "zombifies" fruit flies, researchers can gain valuable insights into ecological balance and pest management strategies. As you explore this topic further, consider how such biological systems can be harnessed for beneficial applications in agriculture and beyond.