Cordyceps militaris (L.) Fr. 1818

While working in my garden today I discovered this Cordyceps militaris fungus (Caterpillar Killer / Rupsendoder). It is not the most beautiful fungus and thats for sure. This particular Cordyceps militaris is about 2,5 cm in size.This is an extraordinary fungus that parasitises and kills moth pupae. It is an ascomycete that invades the pupae in the ground. Eventually the fungus will fruit sending out unmistakable bright orange fruiting bodies above the ground.Uit Wikipedia:De rupsendoder (Cordyceps militaris) is een paddenstoel uit de klasse van de Sordariomycetes, familie Corcycipitaceae.De zwam wordt 2 tot 6 centimeter hoog, en is een half tot 1 centimeter dik. De kleur van de zwam is oranjegeel tot oranje, de steel is meestal wat bleker. Op de hoed bevinden zich fijne wratjes. De zwam groeit op poppen van vlinders in diverse biotopen. In Nederland is de soort vrij algemeen.

The fungus forms 18 cm high, club-shaped and orange/red fruiting bodies, which infect Lepidoptera larvae and then grow out of them. Seen in a Worcestershire Churchyard

The fungus forms 18 cm high, club-shaped and orange/red fruiting bodies, which infect Lepidoptera larvae and then grow out of them. Seen in a Worcestershire Churchyard

Scientific Name: Cordyceps militaris (L. ex St. Amans) LinkCommon Name: Trooping CordycepsCertainty: positive (notes)Location: Southern Appalachians; Smokies; CabinCoveDate: 20060715Perfect example, complete with pupal host. This is a fascinating fungus, considered to be a real find, as it grows exclusively on buried pupae of insects! However, a day or two after a good midsummer rain in the Smokies I can almost guarantee several sightings on a casual stroll through damp hardwood forest.

Hjerritsdal mølle, ved Hobro, Danmark

Bramslev bakker ved Mariager Fjord, Danmark

Bramslev bakker ved Mariager Fjord, Danmark

Mushroom Observer Image 100712: Cordyceps militaris (L.) Fr.

Mushroom Observer Image 10849: Cordyceps militaris (L.) Fr.

Mushroom Observer Image 125398: Cordyceps militaris (L.) Fr.

Mushroom Observer Image 134926: Cordyceps militaris (L.) Fr.

Mushroom Observer Image 175671: Cordyceps militaris (L.) Fr.

Mushroom Observer Image 203711: Cordyceps militaris (L.) Fr.

Mushroom Observer Image 241623: Cordyceps militaris (L.) Fr.

Mushroom Observer Image 250042: Cordyceps militaris (L.) Fr.

Mushroom Observer Image 250481: Cordyceps militaris (L.) Fr.

Mushroom Observer Image 360427: Cordyceps militaris (L.) Fr.

Mushroom Observer Image 364123: Cordyceps militaris (L.) Fr.

Mushroom Observer Image 374424: Cordyceps militaris (L.) Fr.

Mushroom Observer Image 374425: Cordyceps militaris (L.) Fr.