Coelomomyces psorophorae

Coelomomyces psorophorae is a species of aquatic fungus in the family Coelomomycetaceae. It is a parasite of mosquito larvae. Its two-host life cycle involves alternating between mosquitoes and small aquatic crustaceans (copepods), with different reproductive stages occurring in each host. The fungus essentially hijacks the mosquito's body systems, growing inside the larva and eventually producing spores that can survive harsh environmental conditions. Research on this species has provided insights into how parasitic fungi evolve specialized strategies to exploit multiple hosts in aquatic ecosystems.