Scientists Track Fungus Turning Periodical Cicadas into Hypersexual 'Zombies' with Amphetamine

Jun 19, 2024, 08:05 PM

Scientists are tracking a super-sized fungus that infects periodical cicadas, turning them into hypersexual 'zombies' under its control. This fungus produces amphetamine in the cicadas, making them hyperactive and aiding the spread of the parasite. The infected cicadas, often referred to as 'sex-crazed zombies on speed,' exhibit unusual behaviors, including bulging red eyes and an alien-like mating sound, due to the fungus's influence. University of Connecticut cicada researcher John Cooley described the cicadas as 'completely at the mercy of the fungus.'