New Zealand Fungi and Lichens

DSC_8101082 Vegetable caterpillar, or awheto (Ophiocordiceps robertsii) 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 *

DSC8101082Vegetable caterpillarAoraiadinoidesOphiocordycepsCordicepsrobertsiawhetofungusmummifiedhepialidswiftArnold RiverLake Brunner