It’s finally here. Once every 200 years, two flocks of periodical cicadas will emerge from the ground.

Across much of the US, billions of winged insects are emerging from the ground in search of a mating opportunity, but an unlucky few have been infected by a mysterious pathogen that is transforming them into flying insects. The salt shaker of death.

Are you locking the door and hiding under the covers? Before you do, hear this: Although zombie insects sound like the plot of a low-budget ’70s horror movie, they’re completely harmless to humans, plants, and pets, so feel free to marvel (probably from afar) as one of nature’s most powerful forces takes control.

Why do cicadas turn into zombies?

Cicada species live all over the planet, but the species currently abundant across the US are called “periodic cicadas,” which spend years underground as larvae before emerging as adults to mate.

Currently, two so-called “swarms” occur simultaneously in parts of the eastern U.S.: one that appears every 13 years, the other every 17. If you live in an area where this phenomenon is occurring, you’ll notice that it’s accompanied by a noise that’s louder than traffic.

The current occupation is expected to continue until the end of June, by which time most of the cicadas will have died and their eggs will have hatched and burrowed underground for another 13 to 17 years.

“One of the main reasons for this periodic emergence is to prevent predators from developing specialized ways to catch them,” says Dr. Jonathan Larson, an entomologist at the University of Kentucky. BBC Science Focus.

The only exception, Larson said, is Massospora cicadaina. “It’s likely that the disease will play a long game and remain dormant and not cause any symptoms until the cicadas emerge as adults above ground,” he said.

Once above ground, the infected cicada’s normally hollow body fills with white fungal spores and the abdomen bursts open to reveal what Larson describes as a “chalky white mass.”

Once exposed, the spores are free to infect other cicadas…

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How bacteria reproduce

Imagine a third of your body being filled with a harmful pathogen. You might not feel too great, and for good reason. However, infected cicadas can carry on with life as normal. In fact, the fungus changes the cicada’s behavior in some pretty significant ways.

“They can continue to act normally as if they are not infected, which allows them to continue spreading the virus,” Larson explains.

What is normal cicada behavior? After 17 years (or 13) underground, all they have on their mind is finding a mate. Male cicadas shake their abdomens to attract females, hence the loud explosion. Infected males do the same, killing unsuspecting females.

But the fungus has another trick up its sleeve.

“Female cicadas flap their wings in response to the loud, boisterous calls of males,” Larson explains, “but if the males are infected, they also start flapping their wings, fooling other males into thinking they’re mating with the female.”

How cicadas manage to stay alive with so many parts of their bodies packed with spores remains a mystery, but scientists have found some clues in recent years.

For example, a study published in the journal Fungal Ecology It turns out that the fungus produces a type of amphetamine in its mass, which is used as a powerful human stimulant. Massospora Cicadina Will it stick?

Larson explains that it’s not clear exactly how the psychoactive substances affect the cicadas, but that the insects must be stimulated in some way. “That’s the real zombification part: They’re doing their job, they’re alive, but they’re just going through the motions. The lights are on, but no one’s home,” Larson says.

Should we worry about zombies?

First, the percentage of infected insects is very small, less than 5%, but 5% out of billions or even trillions of insects is still a lot of zombies flying around.

Thankfully, this fungus is specialized for cicadas. Massospora Cicadina ‘ is just a little hint so you don’t have to worry about infecting yourself.

“Transmission tends to be very localized, so while there are hotspots, it’s not common everywhere,” Larson said.

However, if you are planning to eat cicadas, you should definitely be careful. Yes, there are a lot of people out there who eat cicadas. Spicy Popcorn Cicada RecipeIf you’re interested, however, you should definitely avoid eating infected varieties.

“If you’re catching cicadas, the infected ones will be noticeably different,” Larson says. “If some fall off and you see a whitish lump, throw it away and don’t eat it.” Who would have thought eating insects infected with a pathogenic zombie fungus would be a bad idea? Everyone would.

About our experts

Jonathan Larson He is an entomologist and assistant professor at the University of Kentucky who provides his insect expertise to those dealing with problems in urban landscapes, lawns, nurseries, greenhouses and the home, and he is co-host of the informative insect podcast, The Insect Podcast. Arthropods.

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