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Ophiocordyceps sp. (parasitizing a beetle larva) Entomopathogenic fungus on beetle larvae. Initially, I saw strange structures poking up through soil/leaf litter in a dense mixed hardwood/coniferous forest in NW Georgia (Gordon County), US. I went back to investigate yesterday, and I found a surprise beneath the soil! So COOL!<br /> <br /> Ophiocordyceps is a genus of ascomycetes that parasitize arthropods.:) This genus is best known for its ability to turn insects into &quot;zombies.&quot; I&#039;m not sure the exact mechanism that this species takes, but I know several within this genus manipulate insect behaviors to ensure optimal spore dispersal.<br /> <br /> UPDATE: <br /> It has been brought to my attention that this is likely a different Ophiocordyceps species altogether! North American species have not been studied extensively, so my specimens need further study (possibly sequencing) to get any further! I am working on contacting some experts on the matter, and I will keep you all apprised.<br /> <br /> I also found out that there are only about 12 total herbarium specimens like mine in North America!<br /> <figure class="photo"><a href="https://www.jungledragon.com/image/61179/ophiocordyceps_sp._parasitizing_a_beetle_larva.html" title="Ophiocordyceps sp. (parasitizing a beetle larva)"><img src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/media.jungledragon.com/images/3231/61179_thumb.jpg?AWSAccessKeyId=05GMT0V3GWVNE7GGM1R2&Expires=1759968010&Signature=HhqjXpKfJ6qnTBKXdCd%2BLLXS7FE%3D" width="200" height="134" alt="Ophiocordyceps sp. (parasitizing a beetle larva) Entomopathogenic fungus on beetle larvae. Initially, I saw strange structures poking up through soil/leaf litter in a dense mixed hardwood/coniferous forest in NW Georgia (Gordon County), US. I went back to investigate yesterday, and I found a surprise beneath the soil! So COOL!<br /> <br /> Ophiocordyceps is a genus of ascomycetes that parasitize arthropods.:) This genus is best known for its ability to turn insects into &quot;zombies.&quot; I&#039;m not sure the exact mechanism that this species takes, but I know several within this genus manipulate insect behaviors to ensure optimal spore dispersal.<br /> <br /> UPDATE: <br /> It has been brought to my attention that this is likely a different Ophiocordyceps species altogether! North American species have not been studied extensively, so my specimens need further study (possibly sequencing) to get any further! I am working on contacting some experts on the matter, and I will keep you all apprised.<br /> <br /> I also found out that there are only about 12 total herbarium specimens like mine in North America!<br /> <br /> https://www.jungledragon.com/image/61180/ophiocordyceps_melolonthae_parasitizing_a_beetle_larva.html<br /> https://www.jungledragon.com/image/61181/ophiocordyceps_melolonthae_parasitizing_beetle_larvae.html Geotagged,Ophiocordyceps melolonthae,Spring,United States" /></a></figure><br /> <figure class="photo"><a href="https://www.jungledragon.com/image/61181/ophiocordyceps_sp._parasitizing_beetle_larvae.html" title="Ophiocordyceps sp. (parasitizing beetle larvae)"><img src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/media.jungledragon.com/images/3231/61181_thumb.jpg?AWSAccessKeyId=05GMT0V3GWVNE7GGM1R2&Expires=1759968010&Signature=Yzukyf3qDIEo%2BKGUEpR2QTyRBgQ%3D" width="104" height="152" alt="Ophiocordyceps sp. (parasitizing beetle larvae) Entomopathogenic fungus on beetle larvae. Initially, I saw strange structures poking up through soil/leaf litter in a dense mixed hardwood/coniferous forest in NW Georgia (Gordon County), US. I went back to investigate yesterday, and I found a surprise beneath the soil! So COOL!<br /> <br /> Ophiocordyceps is a genus of ascomycetes that parasitize arthropods.:) This genus is best known for its ability to turn insects into &quot;zombies.&quot; I&#039;m not sure the exact mechanism that this species takes, but I know several within this genus manipulate insect behaviors to ensure optimal spore dispersal.<br /> <br /> UPDATE: <br /> It has been brought to my attention that this is likely a different Ophiocordyceps species altogether! North American species have not been studied extensively, so my specimens need further study (possibly sequencing) to get any further! I am working on contacting some experts on the matter, and I will keep you all apprised.<br /> <br /> https://www.jungledragon.com/image/61179/ophiocordyceps_melolonthae_parasitizing_a_beetle_larva.html<br /> https://www.jungledragon.com/image/61180/ophiocordyceps_melolonthae_parasitizing_a_beetle_larva.html Geotagged,Ophiocordyceps melolonthae,Spring,United States" /></a></figure> Geotagged,Ophiocordyceps melolonthae,United States Click/tap to enlarge Promoted

Ophiocordyceps sp. (parasitizing a beetle larva)

Entomopathogenic fungus on beetle larvae. Initially, I saw strange structures poking up through soil/leaf litter in a dense mixed hardwood/coniferous forest in NW Georgia (Gordon County), US. I went back to investigate yesterday, and I found a surprise beneath the soil! So COOL!

Ophiocordyceps is a genus of ascomycetes that parasitize arthropods.:) This genus is best known for its ability to turn insects into "zombies." I'm not sure the exact mechanism that this species takes, but I know several within this genus manipulate insect behaviors to ensure optimal spore dispersal.

UPDATE:
It has been brought to my attention that this is likely a different Ophiocordyceps species altogether! North American species have not been studied extensively, so my specimens need further study (possibly sequencing) to get any further! I am working on contacting some experts on the matter, and I will keep you all apprised.

I also found out that there are only about 12 total herbarium specimens like mine in North America!

Ophiocordyceps sp. (parasitizing a beetle larva) Entomopathogenic fungus on beetle larvae. Initially, I saw strange structures poking up through soil/leaf litter in a dense mixed hardwood/coniferous forest in NW Georgia (Gordon County), US. I went back to investigate yesterday, and I found a surprise beneath the soil! So COOL!<br /> <br /> Ophiocordyceps is a genus of ascomycetes that parasitize arthropods.:) This genus is best known for its ability to turn insects into "zombies." I'm not sure the exact mechanism that this species takes, but I know several within this genus manipulate insect behaviors to ensure optimal spore dispersal.<br /> <br /> UPDATE: <br /> It has been brought to my attention that this is likely a different Ophiocordyceps species altogether! North American species have not been studied extensively, so my specimens need further study (possibly sequencing) to get any further! I am working on contacting some experts on the matter, and I will keep you all apprised.<br /> <br /> I also found out that there are only about 12 total herbarium specimens like mine in North America!<br /> <br /> https://www.jungledragon.com/image/61180/ophiocordyceps_melolonthae_parasitizing_a_beetle_larva.html<br /> https://www.jungledragon.com/image/61181/ophiocordyceps_melolonthae_parasitizing_beetle_larvae.html Geotagged,Ophiocordyceps melolonthae,Spring,United States

Ophiocordyceps sp. (parasitizing beetle larvae) Entomopathogenic fungus on beetle larvae. Initially, I saw strange structures poking up through soil/leaf litter in a dense mixed hardwood/coniferous forest in NW Georgia (Gordon County), US. I went back to investigate yesterday, and I found a surprise beneath the soil! So COOL!<br /> <br /> Ophiocordyceps is a genus of ascomycetes that parasitize arthropods.:) This genus is best known for its ability to turn insects into "zombies." I'm not sure the exact mechanism that this species takes, but I know several within this genus manipulate insect behaviors to ensure optimal spore dispersal.<br /> <br /> UPDATE: <br /> It has been brought to my attention that this is likely a different Ophiocordyceps species altogether! North American species have not been studied extensively, so my specimens need further study (possibly sequencing) to get any further! I am working on contacting some experts on the matter, and I will keep you all apprised.<br /> <br /> https://www.jungledragon.com/image/61179/ophiocordyceps_melolonthae_parasitizing_a_beetle_larva.html<br /> https://www.jungledragon.com/image/61180/ophiocordyceps_melolonthae_parasitizing_a_beetle_larva.html Geotagged,Ophiocordyceps melolonthae,Spring,United States

    comments (10)

  1. View Christine Young's profile
    Christine Young
    Lion
    View Lion class
    So totally awesome! GREAT find Lisa <3 Posted 7 years ago
    1. View Flown Kimmerling's profile
      Flown Kimmerling
      Lion
      View Lion class
      I've been so excited about them since I found them haha! I'm ready to go back and find more (and we have seen more in the past weeks). I saw the structures a week ago and had NO idea what they were. They looked like little banana fungi! Fortunately, someone with more expertise than me pointed out the possible ID.
      http://mushroomobserver.org/images/1280/876524.jpg
      http://mushroomobserver.org/images/1280/876522.jpg

      Jason and I immediately went back to the spot yesterday and BOOM! Minds blown!       Posted 7 years ago, modified 7 years ago
      1. View Christine Young's profile
        Christine Young
        Lion
        View Lion class
        Love it!! Posted 7 years ago
    3. View Flown Kimmerling's profile
      Flown Kimmerling
      Lion
      View Lion class
      Just a little update for everyone:
      It has been brought to my attention that this is likely a different Ophiocordyceps species altogether! North American species have not been studied extensively, so my specimens need further study (possibly sequencing) to get any further! I am working on contacting some experts on the matter, and I will keep you all apprised.

      I also found out that there are only about 12 total herbarium specimens like mine in North America!       Posted 7 years ago
  3. View Ferdy Christant's profile
    Ferdy Christant
    Lion
    View Lion class
    Super cool find! Posted 7 years ago
    1. View Flown Kimmerling's profile
      Flown Kimmerling
      Lion
      View Lion class
      I'm still elated about it, Ferdy! I'm ready to go find more! Posted 7 years ago
      1. View Ferdy Christant's profile
        Ferdy Christant
        Lion
        View Lion class
        Hope you find them again! I'd also be very interested in what this species' strategy is for spreading spores. Posted 7 years ago
        1. View Flown Kimmerling's profile
          Flown Kimmerling
          Lion
          View Lion class
          My guess would be that they drive the larvae slightly up towards the soil surface, just enough for the fungus to grow/poke its stalk through the soil for spore dispersal. Look at my photos above (in my conversation with Christine) to see what I initially spotted! They looked like little bananas poking through the soil! Posted 7 years ago
  5. View Jivko Nakev's profile
    Jivko Nakev
    Lion
    View Lion class
    It seems I missed this. I've never heard about fungus parasitising on arthropods! Posted 7 years ago
    1. View Flown Kimmerling's profile
      Flown Kimmerling
      Lion
      View Lion class
      Absolutely, Jivko! BugGuide has a pretty nice list!

      https://bugguide.net/node/view/230781       Posted 7 years ago

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By Flown Kimmerling

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Uploaded Jun 6, 2018. Captured in 381 Dally Cove Rd, Ranger, GA 30734, USA.
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