Hi Roger. The ground around the area with these fungi was littered with pupal casings when we first found it some weeks ago. Hopefully, lots of successful moth emergences. Tim
Possibly 15 to 20%. For every fungus we saw above the ground in this area there would have been around 5 pupal cases. However, the fungi were growing in an area of sandy soil with leaf litter off to the side of a path. Many of the pupal cases were scattered around this area, including on the path. Not all were within it. I guess the fungus mycelium (?) within the ground doesn't yet extend much beyond this patch of ground where the fungi are appearing above the surface.
My guess is that, in a parasite such as this (with a fairly specific host preference), the mycelium would be confined to the host. If so, we'd be seeing the results of independent infections here.
Correct Heino, the mycelium is confined to the larva that is originally infected by swallowing a Dreichmeria spore on the vegetation when it comes to the surface to feed at night
Describe how you intend to use these images and/or audio files and your request will be sent to the author for consideration.
Your request has been successfully submitted to the author for consideration.
2,160,280 sightings of 20,040 species in 6,574 locations from 11,746 contributors
CCA 3.0 | privacy
We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of this land and acknowledge their continuing connection to their culture. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present.