Zombie fungi (Isaria sinclairii)
We all have seen cicadas appearing during the monsoon but for most of their life they stay underground. The cicada nymphs remain underground sucking up rootsap for nearly 1-4 years unless they become a short living winged adults.
Underground might seem a safe shelter for these young wingless nymphs. But NO. These nymphs face a danger of fungal infection.
The fungus Isaria sinclairii (Cordycipitaceae) is one among the many entomopathogenic fungi which infects cicada nymphs and other burrowing insects. This fungi eventually kills and consumes the nymphs inside out leaving behind only the exoskeleton beneath the soil surface.
Once it matures, the fungi sends up its fruiting body that protrudes a few centimeter above the floor.Appearing like a popcorn, they produce powdery white spores. The spores grow into a network of mycelium in the soil until they come in contact with an unfortunate insect or a nymph in the soil.
And the cycle continues.
This cicada killing fungi is a life saver for human beings. Its used in many Chinese traditional medicines. These fungi are known to produce Myriocin (immunosupressent), which helps it supress the immunity of the insect and infect it. Myriocin is toxic to human, so a synthetic derivative fingolimod is developed from it. This is used to treat diseases like multiple sclerosis, cancer and obesity.
