Fungus (Empusa muscae) on fly (Musca domestica) Science Image

Ref: 14834a



Fungus on fly. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of an entomogenous fungus, Empusa muscae erupting from the abdomen of a housefly (Musca domestica). When this fungus infects a host it will affect the insect's behaviour before killing it. Infected flies will climb to high places, such as to the tip of grass stems, and die. The flies will then be eaten by herbivores, which then spread the spores of the fungus in their dung, which attracts flies. Magnification: x89 at 5x7cm size.