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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 /> <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/61180/ophiocordyceps_sp._parasitizing_a_beetle_larva.html" title="Ophiocordyceps sp. (parasitizing a beetle larva)"><img src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/media.jungledragon.com/images/3231/61180_thumb.jpg?AWSAccessKeyId=05GMT0V3GWVNE7GGM1R2&Expires=1759968010&Signature=bSeWxCVwQj4aSvhOK4Gl89l%2B9XY%3D" width="200" height="200" 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 /> https://www.jungledragon.com/image/61179/ophiocordyceps_melolonthae_parasitizing_a_beetle_larva.html<br /> https://www.jungledragon.com/image/61181/ophiocordyceps_melolonthae_parasitizing_beetle_larvae.html Geotagged,Ophiocordyceps melolonthae,United States" /></a></figure> Geotagged,Ophiocordyceps melolonthae,Spring,United States Click/tap to enlarge

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!

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.

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 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 /> https://www.jungledragon.com/image/61179/ophiocordyceps_melolonthae_parasitizing_a_beetle_larva.html<br /> https://www.jungledragon.com/image/61181/ophiocordyceps_melolonthae_parasitizing_beetle_larvae.html Geotagged,Ophiocordyceps melolonthae,United States

    comments (6)

  1. View Christine Young's profile
    Christine Young
    Lion
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    Huh. Well, that is oddly phallic. I find this with many fungi. Posted 7 years ago
    1. View Flown Kimmerling's profile
      Flown Kimmerling
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      View Lion class
      Indeed!

      I still can't get over Calostoma lutescens being both phallic and mastoid at once! It is just wild!
      Calostoma lutescens 2 gasterocarps consisting of spherical gleba (spore sacs) covered in a yellow peridium atop tall golden stalks of intertwined hyphae that look similar to pasta or spaghetti squash. At the apex of each gleba are pink to red star-shaped pores. Spores are white to gray. Calostoma lutescens is one of the 20 gasteroid fungi belonging to the suborder Sclerodermatineae within the order Boletales. It is believed that fungi within the Calostoma genus underwent diversification within the Boletales order from end of the Cretaceous period through the middle of the Cenozoic era. C. lutescens is ectomycorrhizal with Quercus (oak) species.<br /> <br /> Habitat:<br /> The side of a ridge growing under an oak (in soil) in a dense mixed hardwood forest in Northwest Georgia<br /> https://www.jungledragon.com/image/56206/calostoma_lutescens.html<br /> <br /> Slow-motion spore dispersal<br /> https://vimeo.com/240396920 Calostoma,Calostoma lutescens,Fall,Geotagged,United States,agaricomycetes,basidiomycota,boletales,calostomataceae,fungi,fungus,mushroom,mushrooms,sclerodermatineae

      Calostoma lutescens 2 gasterocarps consisting of spherical gleba (spore sacs) covered in a yellow peridium atop tall golden stalks of intertwined hyphae that look similar to pasta or spaghetti squash. At the apex of each gleba are pink to red star-shaped pores. Spores are white to gray. Calostoma lutescens is one of the 20 gasteroid fungi belonging to the suborder Sclerodermatineae within the order Boletales. It is believed that fungi within the Calostoma genus underwent diversification within the Boletales order from end of the Cretaceous period through the middle of the Cenozoic era. C. lutescens is ectomycorrhizal with Quercus (oak) species.<br /> <br /> Habitat:<br /> The side of a ridge growing under an oak (in soil) in a dense mixed hardwood forest in Northwest Georgia<br /> https://www.jungledragon.com/image/56205/calostoma_lutescens.html Calostoma,Calostoma lutescens,Fall,Geotagged,United States,agaricomycetes,basidiomycota,boletales,calostomataceae,fungi,fungus,mushroom,mushrooms,sclerodermatineae
       Posted 7 years ago
      1. View Christine Young's profile
        Christine Young
        Lion
        View Lion class
        Yes! Hypomyces and stinkhorns (minus the flies and goo, of course) are also very phallic...
        Parasitic Fungus on Amanita Unusual looking Amanita mushroom that is being attacked by a parasitic fungus, Hypomyces hyalinus. This fungus completely disfigures its host. The infection prevents the expansion of the cap, and causes the cap to fuse to the stem. As a result, the gills are also destroyed and the fruiting body dies without dispersing any spores. This mushroom was about 9cm tall. Fungus,Geotagged,Hypomyces hyalinus,Parasitic Fungus,Summer,United States,amanita,mushroom

        Red Stinkhorn This mushroom truly smells much worse than it looks. After all, it's called a "stinkhorn" for a reason. It has a spike-like orange fruiting body with small pockmarks and an olive-brown, gelatinous, stinky spore mass towards the apex, which is called the gleba. The fetid odor of the gleba attracts flies. The gleba sticks to the flies as they feed on it, and the flies then mechanically spread the fungus when they land in different places. In addition, the flies further aid in spore dispersal by frantically sucking up the gleba as they can consume as much as 80 percent of their body weight in stinkhorn gleba daily! This putrid gorging upsets the fly's digestive system, which then enables the spores to quickly make their exit from the fly's hindgut. Fall,Geotagged,Phallus rubicundus,Red Stinkhorn,Red Stinkhorn Fungus,United States,fungi,fungus,mushroom,mycophagy,stinkhorn
         Posted 7 years ago, modified 7 years ago
        1. View Flown Kimmerling's profile
          Flown Kimmerling
          Lion
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          *snickers childishly* Posted 7 years ago
          1. View Christine Young's profile
            Christine Young
            Lion
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            *hehe* Posted 7 years ago
  3. View Annette Flottwell's profile
    Annette Flottwell
    Lion
    View Lion class
    i have just found out that i have yet to dig under some strange mushrooms. somebody might to naughty mushroom gallery :) Posted 7 years ago

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By Flown Kimmerling

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Uploaded Jun 6, 2018. Captured Jun 5, 2018 04:37 in 381 Dally Cove Rd, Ranger, GA 30734, USA.
country flag of United States of America Explore United States of America 39,948 9,641 8
  • Canon EOS DIGITAL REBEL XTi
  • f/8.0
  • 1/500s
  • ISO400
  • 60mm