The fly species Coenosia tigrina with two large holes in the abdomen. The holes are an effect of infection with the fungus Strongwellsea tigrinae. The infective spores are discharged through these holes. Image credit: University of Copenhagen
After infecting the host bodies, the flies buzz around for days as fungal spores are released into the air from the holes and drift onto new victims. The fungi find nourishment from within the rear segment of the bodies of the flies right up to the end. Following a few days of the infection, the flies lie on their back and keep on having spasms till they die.
They bore holes in the host but keep it alive with an amphetamine-like substance
The fly then buzzes around for days, sprinkling more spores on other victims
Eventually it falls on its back and spasms for several hours before dying
Scientists in Denmark have uncovered two new species of deadly fungi that devour from the inside, bursting from the abdomen of their still-living prey.
The parasites Strongwellsea acerosa and Strongwellsea tigrinae infect adult flies, which continue to buzz around for days with massive holes in their bodies.
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Thousands of torpedo-shaped spores can shoot out like a rocket from a single fly.
Researchers discover and describe two fungal species for the first time
University of Copenhagen researchers have found and described two fungal species for the first time. The fungi infect adult flies and subsequently create a hole in the abdomen of their hosts bodies. Infected flies then buzz around days as the fungi devour them from within and eject fungal spores from these holes in their bodies. The discovery marks a contribution to the mapping of global biodiversity. At the same time, the new studies open the door for potentially useful nature-made pharmacological discoveries.
Researchers from the University of Copenhagen s Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences and the Natural History Museum of Denmark have found and described two new fungal species. Both fungi were discovered in the Capital Region of Denmark with
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BIODIVERSITY University of Copenhagen researchers have found and described two fungal species for the first time. The fungi infect adult flies and subsequently create a hole in the abdomen of their hosts bodies. Infected flies then buzz around days as the fungi devour them from within and eject fungal spores from these holes in their bodies. The discovery marks a contribution to the mapping of global biodiversity. At the same time, the new studies open the door for potentially useful nature-made pharmacological discoveries.
Spores (conidia) of
Strongwellsea acerosa. They are dischared from a large hole in the abdomen of the infected, yet still living fly
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