Return of the zombie cicadas: WVU team unearths manipulative qualities of fungal-infected flyers

(West Virginia University) Cicadas infected with the parasitic fungus Massospora unknowingly engage in trickery with their fellow insects, resulting in effective disease transmission, according to West Virginia University-led research. Massospora manipulates male cicadas into flicking their wings like females - a mating invitation - which tempts unsuspecting male cicadas and infects them.
Source: EurekAlert! - Biology - Category: Biology Source Type: news