The entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium anisopliae (strain ME1) failed to swell or form germ-tubes in distilled water. However, a period of soaking in distilled water (10–44 h) accelerated the process of germination when a suitable nutrient source was provided. The implications of this novel observation are discussed in terms of mechanisms of germination and the use of parasitic fungi for insect pest control.