Vegetable caterpillar
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Vegetable caterpillars are the result of infection of large underground caterpillars by a fungus of the genus Cordyceps. Species of Cordyceps are found throughout Eurasia and Australia, with centres of diversity in eastern Asia.
It is not certain how the fungus infects the caterpillar, possibly by the caterpillar ingesting a fungal spore or by the fungus mycelium invading the insect through one of its breathing pores. Once inside, the fungus mycelium ramifies through the host tissue, eventually completely consuming it and replacing the caterpillar body with fungal tissue. At this stage, the fungus grows a usually columnar fruiting body that reaches the surface and releases spores.
Vegetable caterpillars have long been valued as traditional Chinese medicine , being regarded as having an excellent balance of yin and yang (through being apparently both animal and vegetable). Assays have found that Cordyceps species produce many pharmacologically active substances. They are now cultivated on an industrial scale for their medicinal value.
The search for Cordyceps sinensis, sometimes known as tochukaso/tohchukaso, poses a threat for the Tibetan plateau where it grows.
The popularity of this fungus recently grew because two female Chinese athletes, Wang Junxia and Qu Yunxia, beat the world records for 1500, 3000 and 10000 meters, used it at the recommendation of their coach, who said that this fungus - which has been known for 2000 years - helps athletes. The fungus infects the caterpillars of ghost moths (Thitarodes).
