Neuroparasitology: Fungal effectors induce feeding in zombie silkworms.

Ophiocordyceps sinensis

Cognition & nervesEnergy & fatigueRespiratory

SpeciesCordyceps, Caterpillar Fungus

JournalCurrent biology: CB

Year2025

Key points

Some entomopathogenic fungi hijack host behavior to increase their pathogenicity, but how they do so has largely remained a mystery
A recent paper shows that Cordyceps militaris fungi produce insect-like trehalase enzymes to induce perceived starvation in silkworms, leading to increased feeding and greater production of infectious spores

Metadata-grounded summary

Citation abstract

Some entomopathogenic fungi hijack host behavior to increase their pathogenicity, but how they do so has largely remained a mystery. A recent paper shows that Cordyceps militaris fungi produce insect-like trehalase enzymes to induce perceived starvation in silkworms, leading to increased feeding and greater production of infectious spores.

Citation

Beckerson WC (2025). Neuroparasitology: Fungal effectors induce feeding in zombie silkworms. Current biology: CB https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2025.06.069 PMID: 40763701

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