Zombie fungus turns cicadas into rampant sex addicts who bonk until their genitals fall off
A FUNGUS which turns bugs into sex crazed zombies has been discovered by horrified scientists.
Once cicada insects are infected with the Massospora cicadina virus, they will mate until their genitals fall off and they turn into "flying salt shakers of death."
Scientists from West Virginia University in the US found that the fungus contained an amphetamine and a psychoactive chemical that caused a similar effect to magic mushrooms.
Matt Kasson, said: "These psychoactive compounds were just two of less than 1,000 compounds found in these cicadas."
It is thought that a small fraction of cicadas are infected when they emerge as adults from fungus spores in the soil or on the wings of other insects.
This then develops into a full blown infection that can encourage male hosts to flap their wings more so they attract more males and spread the disease.
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