Massospora cicadina

Massospora cicadina
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Fungi
Division:	Myxomycota
Class:	Phycomycota
Order:	Entomophthorales
Family:	Entomophthoraceae
Genus:	Massospora

Massospora cicadina is a fungal disease that affects the 13- and 17-year cicada. The fungus lies dormant in the ground for either 13 or 17 years before becoming active. It is one of the most lethal threats to cicadas. The first batch of affected cicadas makes contact with the spores underground. The fungus grows in their abdomen, causing it to fall off. The released spores have been described as a white, chalky mass. The spores then attach to another bunch of cicadas, causing them to incubate the spores and also losing their abdomens in the process. The spores from this infection then fall to the ground, where they lie dormant for the next 13 or 17 years. The fungus makes both males and females sterile. Affected males are not able to mate, while affected females can mate but cannot oviposit (lay eggs).

References

External links

• THE ECOLOGY, BEHAVIOR AND EVOLUTION OF PERIODICAL CICADAS
• Periodical Cicadas