Thursday 30 October 2014

Moth, R.I.P

This morning, I spotted this small but colourful fungus, growing in the lawn of one of my clients, in Penderyn.


Its scientific name is Cordyceps militaris, common name: Scarlet Caterpillarclub. It first infects, then kills the pupating larva of a moth, just under the moss or soil, then lives off the dead larva, throwing up a tiny (this one was only around 20mm tall) fruiting body in the autumn.
The only other place I have seen this species is up by the targets, above Perthcelyn.

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