# Fungal Hallucinogens Send Cicadas on Sex Binges After Their Genitals Fall Off **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [June 29, 2019, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fungal-hallucinogens-send-cicadas-on-sex-binges-after-their-genitals-fall-off/836248 "2019-06-29T03:37:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Derleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Derleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Derleth)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2019, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fungal-hallucinogens-send-cicadas-on-sex-binges-after-their-genitals-fall-off/836248/1 "2019-06-29T03:37:04Z")
[This is apparently real](https://www.sciencealert.com/fungal-hallucinogens-cause-cicadas-to-go-on-sex-binges-after-they-lose-their-genitals): > [@ScienceAlert](#): > > In latest gruesome nature news, scientists have discovered new details on a fungus that compels its cicada hosts to mate long after their genitals have gone and their bodies have turned into what one researcher colourfully describes as ‘flying salt shakers of death’. > > The fungus is called _Massospora cicadina_, and its effects read like an abstinence campaign for cicadas. But it also appears that it affects the sex-crazed cicadas by sending them on one heck of a drug trip. > > [snip] > > Now, this really shouldn’t need to be said. But we feel obligated to say it anyway. **This is in no way to suggest cicada fungal pox should be considered for your next high.** Bolding mine. Why not? Read on: > [@](#): > > “These psychoactive compounds were just two of less than 1,000 compounds found in these cicadas,” says West Virginia University forest pathologist Matt Kasson. > > “Yes, they are notable, but there are other compounds that might be harmful to humans. I wouldn’t take that risk.” Buzz-kill. Anyway, the fungus has cathinone, a compound similar to ephedrine, which keeps the bugs going as rampant sex-bots of destruction. It makes male cicadas flap their wings to look feminine, which encourages males to get close enough to become contaminated with the fungus, and the infected spray spores as they fly around. This could be the first example of a cathinone produced in something other than a plant. Also: > [@](#): > > Another fungal pathogen called _M. levispora_ was also associated with raised levels of a tryptamine called psilocybin - the psychedelic compound in magic mushrooms. It might have evolved this to create bugs with reduced appetites. ---
**Author:** ![Sunny\_Daze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunny_daze/32/438_2.png) [@Sunny\_Daze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunny_Daze)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2019, 4:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fungal-hallucinogens-send-cicadas-on-sex-binges-after-their-genitals-fall-off/836248/2 "2019-06-29T04:36:19Z")
> [@Derleth](#): > > Also:It might have evolved this to create bugs with **reduced** appetites. Reduced?! ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2019, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fungal-hallucinogens-send-cicadas-on-sex-binges-after-their-genitals-fall-off/836248/3 "2019-06-29T16:09:55Z")
Best Thread Title Ever! ---
**Author:** ![Inigo\_Montoya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inigo_montoya/32/124_2.png) [@Inigo\_Montoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inigo_Montoya)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2019, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fungal-hallucinogens-send-cicadas-on-sex-binges-after-their-genitals-fall-off/836248/4 "2019-06-29T16:22:23Z")
> [@Gatopescado](#): > > Best Thread Title Ever! Something about the thread title and “It makes male cicadas flap their wings to look feminine, which encourages males to get close enough to become contaminated with the fungus”…Are we contaminated just by reading the thread? ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2019, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fungal-hallucinogens-send-cicadas-on-sex-binges-after-their-genitals-fall-off/836248/5 "2019-06-29T19:07:15Z")
> [@Gatopescado](#): > > Best Thread Title Ever! And if you ever want to rename this message board, you could do worse. ---
**Author:** ![Shoeless](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shoeless/32/7099_2.png) [@Shoeless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shoeless)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2019, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fungal-hallucinogens-send-cicadas-on-sex-binges-after-their-genitals-fall-off/836248/6 "2019-06-29T20:05:06Z")
> [@Gatopescado](#): > > Best Thread Title Ever! Agreed. Now \* that’s \* how you write click-bait! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Two\_Many\_Cats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8dc957/32.png) [@Two\_Many\_Cats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Two_Many_Cats)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2019, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fungal-hallucinogens-send-cicadas-on-sex-binges-after-their-genitals-fall-off/836248/7 "2019-06-29T21:05:03Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > And if you ever want to rename this message board, you could do worse. Meh. Too wordy. ---
**Author:** ![DinoR](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dinor/32/2821_2.png) [@DinoR](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DinoR)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2019, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fungal-hallucinogens-send-cicadas-on-sex-binges-after-their-genitals-fall-off/836248/8 "2019-06-29T21:11:22Z")
> [@Derleth](#): > > Also:It might have evolved this to create bugs with reduced appetites. Assuming you’re talking about appetites for eating something like the fungus, they don’t eat. They drink sap/xylem for nutrition as adults. They lack mouthparts to chew and swallow vegetation. They have what is effectively a straw to pierce things like trees and drink their sap. ([Cite](https://www.cicadamania.com/cicadas/what-do-cicadas-eat/)) They are tree mosquitos 😃 I don’t see them being much of a threat to the fungus. The link bringing up the idea that it’s protection doesn’t specifically mention cicadas. This might just be a side effect of possible protection. It sends both the bugs that do eat the fungus and the cicadas that probably don’t on a magic carpet ride. ---
**Author:** ![Folly](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/folly/32/3219_2.png) [@Folly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Folly)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2019, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fungal-hallucinogens-send-cicadas-on-sex-binges-after-their-genitals-fall-off/836248/9 "2019-06-29T21:23:38Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > And if you ever want to rename this message board, you could do worse. Can keep the tag line. [It’s taking longer than we thought] ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2019, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fungal-hallucinogens-send-cicadas-on-sex-binges-after-their-genitals-fall-off/836248/10 "2019-06-29T21:40:59Z")
I always welcome more news of microbe size mind-control species. My best hope.for humanity is that we are blissed out fleshbots controlled by mushrooms when the Earth finally dies.