My article is about a fungus that is attacking bananas. And new studies show that the fungi are getting even more harmful to the plant. Some of the genes are changing in ways that are allowing the fungus to steal the banana’s nutrients. But the new data might help researchers allow the plant to become immune to the fungus. But even if they aren’t, if you eat a banana from an infected plant, you won’t get sick. The fungi spread through the air and only attack the leaves. The infected leaves then develop yellow. Over time, the spots darken and expand. The infected tissue eventually dies. Less tissue means slower photosynthesis, the cycle plants use to make their own food. That means less bananas are produced by the plant. Farmers prevent the fungal disease using a chemical spray, or pesticide. But the pesticides are bad for the environment. Plus, the fungi have been developing ways to resist the pesticides. One of the diseases is called Black Sigatoka (SEEG-uh-TOKE-uh). This fungus has now spread around the world. Two other related fungal species have also spread around the world. They are called Yellow Sigatoka and Eumusae (Yu-MYOO-say) leaf spot. All diseases are similar, but Black Sigatoka is the most dangerous because it affects a large variety of bananas. Yellow Sigatoka is not as harmful as Black Sigatoka. Eumusae leaf spot is not as harmful as Black Sigatoka and not as mild as Yellow Sigatoka. Since the fungi were related, scientists are confused about why the fungi pose such different degrees of threat. Despite causing similar diseases, the three fungi have evolved unique proteins, called virulence proteins. That suggests they evolved ways to trick the bananas’ immune system.