Cordyceps militaris

[Lancashire Lad]

Went for a wander around two of my local fungi haunts today, and found a total of eleven Cordyceps militaris. (Having seen none this year before today).

Might be worth you guys keeping an eye open for them, as they are obviously around in profusion just now.



Decided to dig a couple up to see if I could get a shot of the fungus still attached to the caterpillars - not an easy task



Having had some success in the field, I've brought a few home, where I should be able to do a better job of cleaning off the soil. If all goes well, I'll add some more photos tomorrow.

Regards,
Mike.

[NickCantle]

Great find Mike,

I had my first one of these at Clumber foray last year and funnily enough it was my last.

[Lancashire Lad]

Originally Posted by NickCantle

...I had my first one of these at Clumber foray last year and funnily enough it was my last....

Hi Nick,

Before today, and because I found a couple there last year, I'd been looking in normal grassland, and beside woodland paths etc.

But ten out of the eleven today were found in mossy banks. Only one was found in grassy soil.

I'm assuming that the caterpillars must prefer the moss habitat, and had either died or pupated there. In all of the one's I dug up, the caterpillar was almost immediately below the soil surface.

Regards,
Mike.

[ron1863]

A nice find Mike, never seen one myself but will keep an eye on mossy banks when I'm looking for Leotia lubrica

[RobSutton]

Snap



I even went for the same "dug it up" shot - but chose a white background for mine:

[Fungalpunk]

If you look at these with one of those illuminated hand lenses sometimes you can see the spores flying off on the breeze. Like a miniature firework display and mighty impressive. Grassland and mossy areas seem highly productive for this species and Tatton Park and Dunham Massey in Cheshire are usually quite rewarding.

Fungalpunk Dave

[diggleken]

interesting point Mike - mine were on a grassy but mossy bank too, not flat land so not very wet.
Also quite a peaty soil - dont know which caterpillar though.
Cheers
Ken

[Lancashire Lad]

Well - Of the ones I brought home, I managed to thoroughly clean the debris from only one group. (Without the fungus falling off, or the caterpillar disintegrating).

Unfortunately, overnight, the Cordyceps had dried up somewhat, and no amount of wetting would encourage them to "fill out" to their normal shape.

The Caterpillar seemed to stand the ordeal slightly better though, and has come through the wash and brush up quite well. (I might also post this on the insect forum to see if any of the specialists might be able to ID the caterpillar).



Regards,
Mike.

[alge]

Thanks for posting this Mike, great result! I had no idea that the very last image in my well thumbed phillips was such an impressive fungi. Cordyceps militaris has rocketed up my wish list.

alex