Aug 7th, 2018: Junkie Cicadas
 

You’re aware of Cicadas, the insect that spends the first 13 or 17 years of their life underground feeding on roots, then burst out
of the ground en masse for an reproductive orgy with no shame, even in plain view of children and the faint of heart.

However you might not know some of the Cicada pick up a fungus called Massospora on their way to the orgy.
A week later the Cicada’s hard panels fall off revealing the fungus has eaten a third of the Cicada and crated mass of spores
ready to spread like a salt shaker during the Cicada’s travels.

http://cellar.org/2017/cicada.jpg

Scientists noted that curiously, Cicadas infected with Massospora are hyperactive and hypersexual, jumping everything is sight
even though their genitals have either been devoured by the fungus or have fallen off with the rest of their butts.
Further study by the same scientists discovered this Massospora fungus is also a chemical factory supplying the Cicada with both
psilocybin and cathinone, an amphetamine. So they can’t reproduce but can spread the Massospora spores… with vigor. :doit:

link

I remember hearing the massed choirs of Cicadas on one of my US trips.
Much had been said on NPR about their reappearance.
I was en route from Brighton CO to Cheyenne WY and, when I stopped for a rest, I couldn't believe how loud they were.
I think that was 2003 or 2004.

Very interesting. The infected cicadas are active and spreading this fungus for such a short period of time relative to their entire lives. It's obviously enough though, from the fungus's point of view.

Wow, has it been 14 years since I took these? Only 3 years until they're back.


Hopefully, fungus-free.

I doubt they will be all fungus free, but probably a small percentage. If they all were infected they wouldn't be able to reproduce, and with out the Cicadas the fungus wouldn't be able to spread. Mother Nature seems to be able to strike a balance man made plans never can.

What I want to know if the Cicada is pumped up on psilocybin and cathinone, what happens if I eat a few? :shock:

You'll feel so good you won't notice that your butt has shriveled up and fallen off.

Now there's a weight loss program I could get behind... get rid of behind? :haha:

:D

Do you want zombies? This is how you get zombies.

Lot of money and effort to maintain a myth, must be a profitable myth. :haha: