The caterpillar fungus – Cordyceps sinensis

Abstract

Cordyceps sinensis, also known as "caterpillar fungus" is a medicinal mushroom that is mostly found in Tibet, Nepal and Bhutan, particularly in the high-altitude regions of the Himalayas. It is a parasitic fungus that thrives in cool and moist environments requiring low pH levels. It is known to grow in areas where the soil is exposed and sufficient UV light is available. Cordyceps sinensis grows on the larvae of the Himalayan bat moth, Hepialus armoricanus where it replaces the host's tissue and eventually mummifies the insect, leaving only the fruiting body visible above ground.