caterpillar fungus

English

caterpillar fungus, Ophiocordyceps sinensis, growing on two caterpillars

Noun

caterpillar fungus (plural caterpillar fungi or caterpillar funguses)

  1. A fungus indigenous to the Tibetan plateau, Ophiocordyceps sinensis, which parasitizes various caterpillars.
  2. Any fungus of closely related species in genera Ophiocordyceps and Cordyceps, both in order Hypocreales.
  3. The fungus and host caterpillar body of O. sinensis used in Traditional Chinese Medicine.

References

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