Neuroparasitology: Fungal effectors induce feeding in zombie silkworms

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.