Become a fan of Slashdot on Facebook
‘Zombie Cicadas’ Are Under the Influence of a Psychedelic, Mind-controlling Fungus (cnn.com) 8
Even though infected cicadas lose their ability to mate when their backsides become fungal plugs, they will still attempt to mate to sexually transmit the fungus to healthy cicadas. The parasitic fungus even manipulates male cicadas into flicking their wings to imitate the females’ mating invitation so they can also infect unsuspecting male cicadas to rapidly transmit the disease.
While researchers believe sexual transmission of the fungus is the easiest way for Massospora to spread, cicadas can also come into contact with the pathogen in other ways. “When they fly around or walk on branches, they spread spores that way too,” Kasson said. “We call them flying saltshakers of death, because they basically spread the fungus the way salt would come out of a shaker that’s tipped upside down.”
While a zombie army of cicadas sounds terrifying, Kasson reassures that infected cicadas are not a danger to humans. At this time, researchers believe the fungus does not pose a serious risk to the overall cicada population.
“When these pathogens infect cicadas, it’s very clear that the pathogen is pulling the behavioral levers of the cicada,” says one of the study’s co-authors, “to cause it to do things which are not in the interest of the cicada but is very much in the interest of the pathogen.”
A doctoral student involved in the research even suggests these discoveries might one day be used for pest control.
“First Massospora spores eat away at the cicada’s genitals, butt, and abdomen.”
I have it on good authority that these are actually symptoms of demons having sex with you while you sleep.
I have it on good authority that these are actually symptoms of demons having sex with you while you sleep.
Good thing you are posting this on slashdot, world renown for its sexual relationship insights and car analogies.
I don’t know how many documentaries about this the BBC and countless other channels did, pretty much decades ago
Why are these “scientists” always coming up with the most selfish-fucked-up thing literally imaginable??
Are we humans lireral sprawling death that makes even this fungus scared, or what??There is only one pest oh this planet thst needs to be controlled. And it is “humans” who think this way.
There may be more comments in this discussion. Without JavaScript enabled, you might want to turn on Classic Discussion System in your preferences instead.
Related Links Top of the: day, week, month.
- 563 commentsMisleading Virus Video, Pushed By the Trumps, Spreads Online
- 548 comments‘No Clear Evidence’ Hydroxychloroquine Works Against COVID-19
- 533 commentsTrump Declares National Emergency To Speed Coronavirus Response
- 526 commentsCoronavirus: Trump Suspends Travel From Europe To US
- 510 commentsCDC: Coronavirus May Have Infected 10 Times More Americans Than Known
Slashdot Top Deals
- Get more comments
- 8 of 8 loaded
God made machine language; all the rest is the work of man.
