Jackalodeath

Looks like you missed em by a few moments:

When Massospora infects a cicada it doesn’t kill it. In fact it hijacks the typical behaviors of healthy cicadas like flying. So when infected cicadas fly around with a mass of spores erupting out from the end of its abdomen, spores fall down like salt grains from a tipped salt shaker. Those spores can then infect unsuspecting cicadas below.

On the topic of cicadas and fungi interactions, I tripped across this article/study some time ago. If I've read it correctly, a variant of cordyceps - one species of fungus that infects and "zombifies" ants to "assist" in spreading its spores, much like your "salt shakers of Death" - is apparently involved in a symbiotic relationship with a Japanese variant of cicada, where it basically "does the job" of a metabolic bacterium many other cicadas have, but this variant doesn't. Do you have any thoughts on, or possible scientific insight, this subject? I fully understand if not; you've likely plenty on your plate as-is.

Last one from me: you've mentioned the Massospora fungus is also considered an STD, as the spore-plug-thingy that "replaces" its abdomen, takes its genitalia with it, and can infect during mating attempts. Is there any evidence that the infection - which is easily visible to us by the time it spores - is noticeable by potential mating partners? As in, will a cicada that has this spore-plug-thingy be rejected by potential partners more often than a "normal" looking cicada, if the knowledge has been gleaned of course.

Thank you so very much for coming by today! While pretty messed up how this infection plays out, it truly is fascinating! I'd've likely never learned of it, if not for you^_^

Awesome; thank you!

One more question popped up, but I'll make a separate comment for it; thank you again for your time!^_^

Fleeting curiosities, feel free to ignore for more engaging convo.

First: Cicadas are loud, and while I'm sure you're not exactly in an enclosed lab with those things screaming away at all hours of the day, any hearing protection required on the regular?

Secondly: its believed some (or all, just learning about it,) Massospora can produce psychoactive chemicals or effects in their hosts, is it known if this is how the fungus "convinces" the cicada to take flight and "carpet bomb" its fledgling cousins with a bad case of buttrot?

I won't bother with the "any signs it causes pain/discomfort" thing since that not exactly easy to measure, and if it can "convince" the host to go on a joyride after making its ass fall off I'm sure it can trick whatever version of nerve endings they have not to feel it (also considering they still try to do the sexy time when their sexy time parts are lying on the forest floor somewhere, but that could just be their "programming.")