Pseudogymnoascus destructans is a fungus that primarily affects bats, causing a disease known as white-nose syndrome. This condition leads to significant mortality rates among bat populations, particularly during hibernation when the fungus thrives in cold, humid environments. The fungus was first identified in New York in 2006 and has since spread across North America. It disrupts the bats' hibernation patterns, leading to dehydration and energy depletion, ultimately resulting in death. Conservation efforts are ongoing to understand and mitigate the impact of this pathogen on bat species.