Robber fly infected by parasitic fungus (white). Robber flies (family Asilidae) are predators of other flying insects, which they ambush in flight. So

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Robber fly infected by parasitic fungus (white). Robber flies (family Asilidae) are predators of other flying insects, which they ambush in flight. Some species of parasitic fungus, like the one shown here, develop inside an insect's body, using its tissues as a source of nutrition. When mature the fungus' fruiting bodies (white rod-like) burst out of the insect in order to spread their spores.

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Size: 5120px × 3414px
Photo credit: © MELVYN YEO/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

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