Flying Saltshaker Fungus

Often called the "Salt Shaker of Death," Massospora cicadina is a specialized fungus that performs a gruesome, real-life body snatching. It specifically targets periodical cicadas that emerge every 13 or 17 years, turning them into "zombie" spreaders of its spores. This fungus is famous for its bizarre ability to keep its host alive and active even after half of the insect's body has fallen away.

🔍 How to Identify

• 🪲 Host Specificity: You will only find this fungus attached to periodical cicadas (Magicicada species) during their massive emergence events.
• ☁️ The "Plug": The fungus is visible as a white-to-yellowish, chalky mass that replaces the rear end of the cicada’s abdomen.
• 🧟 The Living Dead: Unlike most parasites that kill their host quickly, an infected cicada continues to fly and walk despite its abdomen having completely fallen off, exposing the fungal mass.

🌲 Habitat & Ecology

• ⏳ Patient Persistence: This fungus spends the vast majority of its life dormant in the soil. It waits underground for 13 or 17 years, perfectly synced with the life cycle of the cicadas it infects.
• 💃 Behavioral Hijack: The fungus produces chemicals that manipulate the cicada's brain. Infected males begin to flick their wings in a way that mimics females, attracting other males who try to mate with them, thereby spreading the spores through physical contact.

⚠️ Safety & Toxicity

• 🚫 WARNING: Do not touch or ingest infected cicadas. This fungus is highly specialized for insects but contains potent chemicals that are unsafe for humans.
• 💊 Psychoactive Compounds: Scientists have discovered that Massospora cicadina contains cathinone, a powerful amphetamine. While this keeps the cicada hyper-active and "energetic" despite its injuries, it makes the fungus toxic to humans and pets if consumed.

✨ Fun Fact

Because the fungus causes the cicada's abdomen to crumble away into dust as they fly, researchers nicknamed them "flying salt shakers." As the cicada moves through the trees, it literally rains fungal spores down onto the ground to infect the next generation of cicadas.