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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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10 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.
8 months 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.
8 months ago

Mikus said:

Klasse Makro.
8 months ago ( translate )

Adrian Jones replied to Mikus:

Thank you Mikus, your comment is really appreciated, thank youi.
8 months ago

Don Sutherland said:

Stunning detail.
8 months ago ( translate )

Adrian Jones replied to Don Sutherland:

Thanks for looking and commenting Don, much appreciated. :-)
8 months ago

Dave C said:

Outstanding work.
8 months ago

Adrian Jones replied to Dave C:

Thank you dave, greatly appreciated. :-)
8 months ago

Patrick Brandy said:

sensationnel photo bravo bonne journée.
8 months ago ( translate )

Adrian Jones replied to Patrick Brandy:

Thank you Patrick, your comment is much appreciated. :-)
8 months ago