October 2026 • Nebraskaland 21
This fly was infected and killed by fungus.
I
'm going to tell you a story about a fungus that attacks and kills flies in an
incredible and somewhat creepy way. Before I do that, I want to be sure you're
in the right frame of mind to read this, by which I mean that I want you to feel
some empathy for the flies. I say that because I'm pretty sure many of you are
already thinking, "Well, good! Flies are super annoying."
Sure, some flies can be super annoying. House flies often come into your home,
sample your food and buzz around your head and windows. Deer flies, stable flies,
horse flies and a few others can give you a painful bite. Mosquitos are flies, too, and
we all know about mosquitos.
However, it is estimated that North America has more than 61,000 species of
flies, making flies the most diverse group of insects on the continent. Each of
those fly species has its own unique lifestyle and set of roles in the ecosystem,
and the vast majority do nothing that should annoy you. For example, flies can
be pollinators, predators, parasitoids, decomposers and/or root feeders on plants.
Many play one role as a larva and another as an adult. House flies, mosquitos
and the other aforementioned annoying fly species are not representative of the
astonishing diversity of fly species helping to support life on earth.
In other words, flies are important. As are the fungi out there killing them.
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Story and Photos by Chris Helzer
