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Massospora Cicadina is a fungal disease that affects the 13 and 17 year Cicada. The fungus lies dormant in the ground for either 13 or 17 years before becoming active. It is one of the most lethal threats to cicadas. The first batch of affected cicadas make contact with the spores underground. The fungus grows in their abdomen, causing it to fall off. The released spores have been described as a white, chalky mass. The spores then attach to another bunch of cicadas, causing them to incubate the spores and also losing their abdomens in the process. The spores from this infection then fall to the ground, where they lay dormant for the next 13 or 17 years. Interestingly, the fungus makes both males and females sterile. Affected males are not able to mate while affected females can mate but cannot oviposit.
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