Zombie cicadas are a phenomenon where cicadas are infected by a fungus known as Massospora cicadina. This fungus is sexually transmitted and causes severe dismemberment and eventually deal. The infection process is quite graphic, with the white fungus pooling in the cicadas’ crevices.
Once infected, the cicadas exhibit hypersexual behavior. Despite losing their genitals and a third of their bodies to the fungus, they continue to participate in normal activities like flying, walking on plants, and attempting to mate. Infected male cicadas even mimic female mating signals to attract and infect other males.
The fungus produces an amphetamine, which could give the cicadas stamina. The infected cicadas spread the fungal spores to other cicadas, acting like zombies. This year, two broods of cicadas, Brood XIX and Brood XIII, are expected to emerge and be infected with this fungus. The phenomenon is expected to occur in parts of the US this spring.
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