Reader Jude Eldridge shared this photo (taken by her husband, Bill Duffy) of flies stuck to the underside of a beech leaf. What’s happening here?
Answer
These are “zombie flies,” affected by fungal spores. The spores land on a fly, where they grow into its brain, effectively directing the fly to change its behavior, climb to a high place, and attach itself there. The fly dies, new fungal spores become airborne, and the process repeats itself. For a more thorough explanation, check out this description from the University of Minnesota Extension.
This week’s contest winner was Julia Ledo