Flies Turn Into Zombies When Infected By These Fungi Species, Scientists Discover

Scientists have found two new species of fungi in the Capital Region of Denmark that eat up two Danish fly species from the inside over time. In doing so, the fungi manages to turn its host in a zombie-like state till it meets its end.

Published in Journal of Invertebrate Pathology, the study has been conducted by researchers from the University of Copenhagen and the Natural History Museum of Denmark. It highlights two?new species of fungi: Strongwellsea tigrinae and Strongwellsea acerosa.

The fungi is able to infect two Danish fly species - Coenosia tigrina and Coenosia testacea. Upon infection, the fungi eat up their host from the inside, creating a large hole in their abdomen. The parasite feeds off from its host like this for days until the fly finally lies on its back and spasms to death.

University Of Copenhagen

During this infection the fungi releases its spores into the air from within the abdomen hole. The mechanism helps the fungi to spread to other victims who come in contact with the host.

Zombie flies

Researchers suspected another ability of the fungi in relation with its capability of keeping its host alive for days. They speculated that the fungi must be producing amphetamine-like substances which "dope" their hosts, as seen in some other type of fungi.

The scientists hence speculate that these fungi may keep a fly’s energy level high up until the end using these dope substances. Another interesting speculation by the scientists highlights the possibility that the fungi also produce substances which keep microorganisms away from the fly’s fungal wound.

University Of Copenhagen

Scientists noticed that the fungi had thick-walled, orange or yellow resting spores that possibly help them survive the stresses of winter. It is believed that these resting spores germinate in spring and infect flies as they become active.

"It is fascinating how the life cycles of these fungi are so well adapted to the lives of the flies they target," says Professor J?rgen Eilenberg of the Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences as quoted in a university release.

He further explains the importance of the study, "In and of itself, this mapping of new and unknown biodiversity is valuable. But at the same time, this is basic new knowledge that can serve as a basis for experimental studies of infection pathways and the bioactive substances involved.”