When the fly is dead, the fungi grows an array of micro-sized stalks on the corpse, each one a pressurised cannon of liquid with a spore that can be ejected outwards. muscae causes flies to ascend to a high point and spread their wings like a marionette on a string, to spew spores from their swollen abdomen Its genus name, Entomophthora translates to 'destroyer of insects' – and it's no surprise why.Įntomophthora muscae turns its victim into a zombie. Once infected, E. Previous studies have already detailed E. Sesquiterpenes have already been found to be attractive in several other insects, the researchers report, including the Asian honey bee and bumblebees. The 'unusual volatile compounds' include a class of chemicals called sesquiterpenes, not previously associated with house flies. muscae induces changes in the volatile chemistry that attract house flies by both altering the levels of cuticular fly hydrocarbons and by producing several unusual volatile compounds.' 'Healthy males are attracted to fungus-killed cadavers and engage in courtship and mating attempts, which significantly increase infection of new host individuals and thereby ensures transmission of the fungal pathogen,' the authors say. The scientists gave male flies the option to mate with infected and non-infected dead females. The fungus infects both male and female houseflies, but the new study, led by researchers at the University of Copenhagen, focused on the effect of female infection to attract male flies.