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Entomophthora muscae infected Dung Fly

An unfortunate Dung fly that has been infected by the fungus Entomophthora muscae. Once infected the fly will die but the fungus causes it to land on a plant stem or flower and move to the highest point before it expires, thus allowing the spores from the fungus greatest chance of spreading to another host.

This is an in camera stack of fifteen images taken in natural light outdoors.
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13 comments

ROL/Photo said:

Vraiment magnifique, merci pour ce partage et pour l'explication..! Adrian;
Il me semble que j'ai aussi photographié ce phénomène sur une mouche
regardes
belle mouche

la dénomination chez moi, est :
Entomophthora muscae (naguère : Empusa muscae) est une espèce de champignon qui s'attaque à la mouche domestique, qu'il envahit de son mycélium, la condamnant en quelques jours. Après la mort de l'insecte, le responsable s'extériorise en élaborant un halo mycélien externe autour du cadavre, immobilisé collé à une vitre par exemple.

On appelle muscardine l'attaque d'un insecte par des champignons.
3 weeks ago ( translate )

Adrian Jones replied to ROL/Photo:

Hello ROL, yes indeed you seem to have witnessed the same fungus attacking a fly. A nicely take image to confirm too, well done.
3 weeks ago

Mikus said:

Klasse Makro.
3 weeks ago ( translate )

Adrian Jones replied to Mikus:

Thank you Mikus, your comment is really appreciated, thank youi.
3 weeks ago

Don Sutherland said:

Stunning detail.
3 weeks ago ( translate )

Adrian Jones replied to Don Sutherland:

Thanks for looking and commenting Don, much appreciated. :-)
3 weeks ago

Dean Morley (mostly… said:

That's a fantastic shot, Adrian, and also one that makes me feel sorry for the fly. Again, superb photography. :-)
3 weeks ago

Adrian Jones replied to Dean Morley (mostly…:

Thank you Dean, very much appreciated. I agree it's not a pleasant way to go. With the wind that was blowing I was lucky to get a stack at all, somethimes you can get lucky!
3 weeks ago

Dean Morley (mostly… replied to Adrian Jones:

You're welcome, Adrian, and you did a grand job with that wind against you. :-)
2 weeks ago

Dave C said:

Outstanding work.
2 weeks ago

Adrian Jones replied to Dave C:

Thank you dave, greatly appreciated. :-)
2 weeks ago

Patrick Brandy said:

sensationnel photo bravo bonne journée.
2 weeks ago ( translate )

Adrian Jones replied to Patrick Brandy:

Thank you Patrick, your comment is much appreciated. :-)
2 weeks ago