New Zealand Fungi

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 *

DSC8101089Vegetable caterpillarAoraiadinoidesOphiocordycepsCordicepsrobertsiawhetofungusmummifiedhepialidswiftArnold RiverLake Brunner