DSC_8101057 Vegetable caterpillar, or awheto (Ophiocordiceps robertsii) detail of fruit body. A native fungus parasitic on burrowing caterpillars of the Ghost moth (Aoraia dinoides and Dumbletonius characterifer). The fungal fruiting body develops from the head of the caterpillar. This was the first fungus to be described from New Zealand (Hooker 1836). Maori knew this fungus had antiseptic properties and they burnt vegetable caterpillars to produce the black pigment used for ta moko (tatooing). Arnold River, Lake Brunner *
DSC_8101089 Vegetable caterpillar, or awheto (Ophiocordiceps robertsii) cutaway view of the burrowing caterpillar infected by a native fungus parasite. The fungal fruiting body develops from the head of the caterpillar. This was the first fungus to be described from New Zealand (Hooker 1836). Maori knew this fungus had antiseptic properties and they burnt vegetable caterpillars to produce the black pigment used for ta moko (tatooing). Arnold River, Lake Brunner *
DSC_2191 Vegetable caterpillar, or awheto (Ophiocordiceps robertsii) detail of a native fungus parasitic on burrowing caterpillars of the Ghost moth (Aoraia dinoides and Dumbletonius characterifer). The fungal fruiting body develops from the head of the caterpillar. This was the first fungus to be described from New Zealand (Hooker 1836). Maori knew this fungus had antiseptic properties and they burnt vegetable caterpillars to produce the black pigment used for ta moko (tatooing). Lake Kaniere *
