Scarlet Caterpillar Club Cordyceps militaris

e6filmuser · December 17, 2014

These are the fruiting bodies of a fungus feeding on a dead caterpillar below the surface of the ground.

Read about it here:

http://www.first-nature.com/fungi/cordyceps-militaris.php#

You may have seem similar outgrowths from exposed insects, including ant, from tropical habitats.

In China C. sinensis "Worm Grass" is dried and sold as a health supplement for treating inflammation, etc.

These were in an area of infrequently cut grass. The clubs were about 50mm long.

EM-1, Kiron 105mm macro, 1/25, probably f11, ISO 400, sunlight.

Harold

Stumblebum · December 17, 2014

Thanks for the education! Would not have guessed that even with million tries!:D

e6filmuser · December 17, 2014

Thanks. To be honest, I would have known it was a fungus but, although I was aware of the genus, I would probably have put it down as an Ascomycete. But I would have taken the picture just the same. This time I had the advantage of being with experts. I have stayed away from such organised forays in the past, having found that taking decent photos was incompatible with keeping up with the group and the commentary. This year I am official group photographer and some effort is made to accommodate my needs.

Harold

Lord Vetinari · December 18, 2014

Wonderful find and info Harold
Brian v.

e6filmuser · December 18, 2014

Lord Vetinari wrote: »

Wonderful find and info Harold
Brian v.

Thanks, Brian.

It was in an area where these were numerous and my first impression was that it was a stage of one of them:

http://www.eakringbirds.com/eakringbirds5/fungiinfocusclavulinopsishelvola.htm

Once more, the advantage of being with experts.

Harold

Scarlet Caterpillar Club Cordyceps militaris

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