Zombie Fungus Makes Flies Climb, Mate With Corpses, and Spread Infection

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A parasitic fungus called Entomophthora muscae forces flies to climb high spots before death, spreading spores to infect other flies below.

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The infected fly becomes sluggish as white fuzz covers its body, while the fungus slowly consumes its non-vital organs to stay alive longer.

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Scientists found the fungus releases specific chemicals from dead female flies, tricking males to mate with corpses and become infected.

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Laboratory tests showed earwigs move toward fungus-infected fly cadavers more than uninfected ones or those infected with other fungi.

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Laboratory experiments revealed the fungus secretes substances into fly blood that affect brain circuits controlling daily rhythm patterns.

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Scientists mapped the fungus genome, finding specialized genes that help break down fly tissues and detect light to time host death at sunset.

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Recent studies discovered the fungus carries its own viral infection while parasitizing flies, though the virus's purpose remains unclear.

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Scientists explore two theories: the fungus either releases chemicals activating summiting behavior neurons or causes changes triggering the fly's neural chemical release.

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Danish researcher De Fine Licht developed instructions for observing the fungus-fly relationship in school laboratories.

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