Pathogenic fungus uses volatiles to entice male flies into fatal matings with infected female cadavers

Abstract

To ensure dispersal, many parasites and pathogens behaviourally manipulate infected hosts. Other pathogens and certain insect-pollinated flowers use sexual mimicry and release deceptive mating signals. However, it is unusual for pathogens to rely on both behavioural host manipulation and sexual mimicry. Here, we show that the host-specific and behaviourally manipulating pathogenic fungus, Entomophthora muscae, generates a chemical blend of volatile sesquiterpenes and alters the profile of natural host cuticular hydrocarbons in infected female housefly (Musca domestica) cadavers. Healthy male houseflies respond to the fungal compounds and are enticed into mating with female cadavers. This is advantageous for the fungus as close proximity between host individuals leads to an increased probability of infection. The fungus exploits the willingness of male flies to mate and benefits from altering the behaviour of uninfected male host flies. The altered cuticular hydrocarbons and emitted volatiles thus underlie the evolution of an extended phenotypic trait.

Published in

ISME Journal
2022, volume: 16, number: 10, pages: 2388-2397
Publisher: SPRINGERNATURE

SLU Authors

• Bohman, Björn

  • Department of Plant Protection Biology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Kwadha, Charles

  • Department of Plant Protection Biology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Becher, Paul

  • Department of Plant Protection Biology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

UKÄ Subject classification

Ecology
Microbiology

Publication identifier

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41396-022-01284-x

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/118347