wildlifelover69
Entomophthora muscae Fly Death Fungus Wayland Wood 19.5.2018 (6)
The infection of the fly begins when a fungal spore of Entomophthora muscae (Fly Death Fungus) lands on the fly's abdomen. This can be airborne or can also happen when the fly tries to mate with a fly already infected with the fungus. After only 24 hours the fungus reaches the fly’s brain. Within 72 hours, the fungus makes its way into nearly every part of the fly’s body, eating fat and other parts as it goes. It also starts to make its way into the nervous system. After 96 hours, the fungus totally takes over, causing the fly to ascend to a nearby high point, mostly on a flower or plant. Once that high point is reached, the fungus produces a glue-like substance that anchors the fly to its perch. After that the fly straightens its hind legs and opens its wings, a behaviour that ensures that the fungal spores are dispersed as widely as possible. The fly’s abdomen swells as fungal parts grow, which a little while later burst, ejecting spores into the air at a high rate of speed.
The cream / buff coloured bands on the fly's abdomen in my photos are the fungus itself.
Mark Joy 21.5.2018
Entomophthora muscae Fly Death Fungus Wayland Wood 19.5.2018 (6)
The infection of the fly begins when a fungal spore of Entomophthora muscae (Fly Death Fungus) lands on the fly's abdomen. This can be airborne or can also happen when the fly tries to mate with a fly already infected with the fungus. After only 24 hours the fungus reaches the fly’s brain. Within 72 hours, the fungus makes its way into nearly every part of the fly’s body, eating fat and other parts as it goes. It also starts to make its way into the nervous system. After 96 hours, the fungus totally takes over, causing the fly to ascend to a nearby high point, mostly on a flower or plant. Once that high point is reached, the fungus produces a glue-like substance that anchors the fly to its perch. After that the fly straightens its hind legs and opens its wings, a behaviour that ensures that the fungal spores are dispersed as widely as possible. The fly’s abdomen swells as fungal parts grow, which a little while later burst, ejecting spores into the air at a high rate of speed.
The cream / buff coloured bands on the fly's abdomen in my photos are the fungus itself.
Mark Joy 21.5.2018