Vestiges of Cordyceps?

Earlier images, not yet re-categorized. All subject types. Not for new images.

Moderators: rjlittlefield, ChrisR, Chris S., Pau

Ken Ramos
Posts: 7208
Joined: Thu Jul 27, 2006 2:12 pm
Location: lat=35.4005&lon=-81.9841

Vestiges of Cordyceps?

Post by Ken Ramos »

Image
Caterpillar, possible cordyceps infection
Canon EOS 30D
Manual mode/hand held
1/200 sec. @ f/10 ISO 100
Canon EF 100mm f/2.5 Macro USM
Canon 430EX Speedlite @ -2/3
Late afternoon

jmlphoto
Posts: 269
Joined: Fri Aug 10, 2007 11:09 am

Post by jmlphoto »

very nice :lol:
Jordan L. photo southern california.

Bruce Williams
Posts: 1120
Joined: Mon Oct 30, 2006 1:41 pm
Location: Northamptonshire, England
Contact:

Post by Bruce Williams »

Is that white mass fungal spores do you think? It looks a bit different from some of your earlier Cordyceps postings ...is the fungus species specific do you know?

Bruce :D

Ken Ramos
Posts: 7208
Joined: Thu Jul 27, 2006 2:12 pm
Location: lat=35.4005&lon=-81.9841

Post by Ken Ramos »

Bruce replied:
Is that white mass fungal spores do you think? It looks a bit different from some of your earlier Cordyceps postings ...is the fungus species specific do you know?
The white mass is probably fungal hyphae, the spores themselves will erupt from the stroma, which is what appears to be eminating from just to the right of the head in the photograph or above the head in relation to the caterpillar. I do know that yesterday this was a Banded Tussock Moth caterpillar or I am assuming it was the same one I photographed yesterday. :-k Here is a before shot of it in the same location approx. 24hrs before.

Image

This was taken yesterday and of course the one above today. Same caterpillar same location, again if this is indeed the same cat, which I believe it is. So, if this is indeed cordyceps, it ravished the cat very quickly in a 24hr. period. Cordyceps are species specific. There is a different one or moths, ants, spiders, grasshoppers and at least two I know of for caterpillars, along with many other species of the fungi. Hope this thing doesn't ever mutate while the spores are in haploid (1n) stages. It could have been that that leaf was covered with spores or maybe the cat came into contact with them somewhere else, which is what I am thinking :roll:

Thanks Bruce and jmlphoto :D

Bruce Williams
Posts: 1120
Joined: Mon Oct 30, 2006 1:41 pm
Location: Northamptonshire, England
Contact:

Post by Bruce Williams »

Thanks for the added info Ken. Wow just 24 hours - that sure is working fast ....and yes I see the stroma now you've pointed it out.

Will you be able to photograph it again to record further developments?

Bruce :D

Ken Ramos
Posts: 7208
Joined: Thu Jul 27, 2006 2:12 pm
Location: lat=35.4005&lon=-81.9841

Post by Ken Ramos »

There probably will not be any further changes or at least I think not. I have photographed infected cats in the past and they pretty much stay the same as what you see here. However this evening I thought that if the remnants of the cat are still there tomorrow when I get home from work, I may just cut the twig off and bring it inside for a shot or two under the stereomicroscope to try and confirm that the cordyceps fungi is probably the etiological agent. As for what species of cordyceps, only spore examination would reveal that I am thinking and of course that means oil immersion objectives and hoping to find at least a spore mass from the stroma. I have tried that in the past with infected ants and had no luck at all. To further complicate things, I have no ideas as to what characteristics the spores would have, in releation to a specific cordyceps species. Anyway it is as they say, "its not about the destination but all about the journy." :roll:

beetleman
Posts: 3578
Joined: Fri Aug 04, 2006 4:19 am
Location: Southern New Hampshire USA

Post by beetleman »

Excellent find Ken. You always seem to capture the best cool-dyceps pictures. I have found a lot of bluebottle flies this year with the fungus in my garden, especially around where the garbage can is always located which would be a logical location for a good fly infestation. I counted eight flies on one morning glory vine tip within 6 inches from the tip of the vine and about 20 within three feet of the garbage can location (on hosta flower stalks)
Take Nothing but Pictures--Leave Nothing but Footprints.
Doug Breda

Post Reply Previous topicNext topic