White-nose syndrome is caused by a fungus

White-nose syndrome is caused by a fungus, Pseudogymnoascus destructans, that grows on hibernating bats’ muzzles and wings. It is thought this causes changes in the bats, waking them when their food resources – namely insects – are minimal. Because these wakened bats use valuable stored energy and are likely unable to refuel by eating, they may not survive the winter. First documented in New York bats in 2006, the fungus and disease have since spread across the United States and Canada. The fungus was first detected in Oklahoma in 2016, and the disease was confirmed in 2017.