[2] The soldier beetle will clamp its mouthpiece onto the flower as tight as it can, while it awaits its death.

[2] The parasitic fungus forces the dead beetle to then spread its wings wide in a dramatic pose; this makes the beetle look bigger as if it is seeking out a mate.

[2] The fungus makes sure the beetle spreads its wings only at daybreak.

In this case, the parasitic fungus creates many spores that will be resistant to the environment and remain infective for many months.

[2] This parasite was first discovered in North Carolina in the late 1970s, early 1980s.