Zombie-fly fungus hurls spores with a soft-water cannon, aiding its spread

Scientists describe how the fungus Entomophthora muscae infects house flies, kills them, and then uses pressure-built stalks to shoot spores into the air like a soft-water cannon. Spores, about 26 µm by 30 µm, are optimized to travel through still air and be carried by currents, with launches reaching roughly 10 m/s. Dead female flies can also trigger spore release via male visitors, and the fungus produces a secondary, smaller spore type to spread the infection further.