Invasive Species | Terrestrial Wildlife and Pathogens
White-nose Syndrome
White-nose syndrome is caused by an invasive fungus that infects bat populations, causing them to be active mid hibernation and use up fat stores.
White-nose syndrome
(Pseudogymnoascus destructans)
French common name: le syndrome du nez blanc
First discovered in caves around Albany, NY in 2007, this invasive fungus (Pseudogymnoascus destructans) or Pd for short, grows in cold, damp environments. In bat habitat, this fungus can grow and attack the bare skin of bats while they hibernate through winter and can cause a white fuzz in affected bats hence its name. This disease causes bats to be more active mid hibernation, using up important fat stores that they need to survive through the winter. Overall, this one invasive fungus has killed millions of bats in North America, with some sites experiencing 90-100% death of bat populations.