Cordyceps tuberculata

A parasitized moth on a Christmas fern in a dense mixed forest understory. A bit soggy from recent rains.

comments (2)

Christine Young

Lion

Very nice find! Posted 4 years ago

Christine Young

Lion

Today's Facebook post (written by Lisa):
Cordyceps tuberculata is a fungal pathogen in the Cordycipitaceae family which is known to parasitize several species of moths (the Lepidoptera). It is colloquially referred to as The Zombie Fungus and The Dwarf Caterpillar Club fungus.

Like other species in the Cordycipitaceae family, C. tuberculata's ultimate goal is to infect, proliferate, and efficiently broadcast its spores in order to infect new hosts. After a moth is initially infected, the mycelium of the fungus begins to expand within the moth's tissues, eventually hijacking its behavior in order to fulfill the its own reproductive objectives. As a result, most infected moths are driven to climb to higher vantage points before ultimately succumbing to the infection and dying. Upon the moth's death, Cordyceps tuberculata finishes digesting the moth's innards. Finally, fruiting bodies erupt from the moth's corpse, ejecting spores into the wind. Deceased specimens are often found in elevated locations like leaves or branches. As you can see in the photos below, the end result is disturbing but beautiful.

{Photos by JungleDragon moderator, Lisa Kimmerling, and administrator, Ferdy Christant} #JungleDragon #Cordyceps #Cordycepstuberculata #zombiefungus

Check out more observations from the Cordycipitaceae family here:
https://www.jungledragon.com/.../hypocreales/cordycipitaceae

Also, here is a frightfully wonderful list worth visiting by Christine Young: https://www.jungledragon.com/.../pestilence_in_nature.html

https://www.facebook.com/jungledragonwildlife Posted 4 years ago