Massospora cicadina

Massospora cicadina achieves behavioral manipulation through chemistry rather than physical infection of control systems. This fungus infects periodical cicadas, consuming their abdomens and replacing the tissue with a plug of fungal spores. But rather than killing the cicada immediately, the fungus keeps the insect alive and active—hypersexually active. Infected males continue mating attempts, spreading spores. The fungus even induces male cicadas to mimic female wing-flick signals, attracting additional males for infection.

The behavioral changes are driven by psychoactive compounds. M. cicadina produces cathinone (an amphetamine-like stimulant found in khat plants) and psilocybin (the psychedelic compound in magic mushrooms). These compounds likely drive the hyperactive mating behavior despite the cicadas' deteriorating physical condition. The cicadas are literally drugged into spreading fungal spores. This chemical manipulation represents a fundamentally different strategy from Ophiocordyceps's direct control of motor systems.

The 'flying saltshakers of death'—as infected cicadas have been called—highlight the evolutionary creativity of parasitic manipulation. By keeping hosts alive and behaviorally active, Massospora achieves wider spore dispersal than simply killing and fruiting from immobile corpses. The cost is sharing resources with a still-living host; the benefit is mobile, actively interacting dispersal vehicles. The strategy demonstrates that behavioral manipulation can be achieved through multiple mechanisms, each with different costs and benefits.