Massospora cicadina

This is a picture of Massospora cicadina at the Hilton Area of Patapsco Valley State Park in Catonsville, Maryland.

comments (4)

Flown Kimmerling

Lion

You found one! I wasn't as lucky! All I found were remnants of the fungus! Posted 4 years ago
1. Ferdy Christant
  
  Lion
  
  When I first read about this fungus (institutions requesting specimens) I read that as a warning, a very unwanted pest. So it's been confusing to me how people are just as excited about the fungi as the cicada itself. Makes sense to me now, an extreme case of specialization? Posted 4 years ago

Christine Young

Lion

Awesome find! Posted 4 years ago

Calbost Niel

Lion

Makes sense of one of my earlier shots. Thanks Matthew Posted 4 years ago

The Massospora cicadina

''Massospora cicadina'' is a fungal pathogen that infects only 13 and 17 year periodical cicadas. Infection results in a "plug" of spores that replaces the end of the cicada's abdomen while it is still alive, leading to infertility, disease transmission, and eventual death of the cicada.

Info 1 0

Similar species: Entomophthorales

Species identified by Matthew Beziat