Ophiocordyceps nutans

Ophiocordyceps nutans
Ophiocordyceps nutans in the Sakaerat Biosphere Reserve, Thailand
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Fungi
Division:	Ascomycota
Class:	Sordariomycetes
Order:	Hypocreales
Family:	Ophiocordycipitaceae
Genus:	Ophiocordyceps
Species:	O. nutans
Binomial name
Ophiocordyceps nutans (Pat.)
Synonyms
Cordyceps nutansPat., Bull. 1887 Cordyceps bicephala subsp. nutans(Pat.) Moureau 1949

Ophiocordyceps nutans is an entomopathogenic fungus belonging to the order Hypocreales (Ascomycota) in the family Ophiocordycipitaceae. ^[1] O. nutans only parasitizes Hemipterans, namely stinkbugs. ^[2] In Korea, O. nutans is one of the most common species of Cordyceps. ^[1] O. nutans, as well as other Cordyceps species, are mainly classified morphologically by their colour, fruit body shape, and host insect species. ^[1] Stinkbugs cause considerable damage to agriculture and forestry, and the anamorph of O. nutans, Hymenostilbe nutans, is a potential selective biological control agent against the stinkbugs. ^[1]

Distribution

Ophiocordyceps nutans is found in the tropical forest regions of Japan, Taiwan, China, New Guinea, and Korea, as well as other places. ^[2]

References

1. Fumito Sasaki; Toshizumi Miyamoto; Aki Yamamoto; Yutaka Tamai & Takashi Yajima (2008). "Morphological and genetic characteristics of the entomopathogenic fungus Ophiocordyceps nutans and its host insects". Mycological Research. 112 (10): 1241–1244. doi:10.1016/j.mycres.2008.04.008. PMID   18693103.
2. Fumito Sasaki; Toshizumi Miyamoto; Aki Yamamoto; Yutaka Tamai & Takashi Yajima (2012). "Relationship between intraspecific variations and host insects of Ophiocordyceps nutans collected in Japan". Mycoscience. 53 (2): 85–91. doi: 10.1007/s10267-011-0137-0 . S2CID   84801649.