Smithsonian magazine's 22nd Annual Photo Contest | Made possible through the support of MPB.com

21st Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Natural World
Fungus Takeover of a Flesh Fly

This image depicts a deceased flesh fly that was likely killed by the pathogenic fungus known as entomophthora muscae. You can see the creepy tendrils of the fungus starting to come out of the fly's abdomen.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 07.2023
Date Uploaded: 11.2023
Photo Location: Gaithersburg, Maryland, United States of America
Camera: OM-1
Copyright: © Benjamin Salb