| Ophiocordyceps sphecocephala | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Fungi |
| Division: | Ascomycota |
| Class: | Sordariomycetes |
| Order: | Hypocreales |
| Family: | Ophiocordycipitaceae |
| Genus: | Ophiocordyceps |
| Species: | O. sphecocephala |
| Binomial name | |
| Ophiocordyceps sphecocephala | |
| Synonyms [1] | |
| |
Ophiocordyceps sphecocephala is a species of parasitic fungus. It is entomopathogenic, meaning it grows within insects, particularly wasps of the genera Polistes , Tachytes , and Vespa . It has been reported across the Americas and China. [2]
Physically, its stromata can be 2–10 cm long and form an egg-shaped head. It is cream or yellow in color. [2]
The fungus has possible implications in medicine; it may have anti-asthmatic or anti-cancer properties. [3] [4]
After the fungus takes over the insect, the insect would go to the highest place and the fungus would sprout out of the body.
There have been studies that show that a higher mycelial yield of Ophiocordyceps sphecocephala was found in mediums containing organic nitrogen while those not containing organic nitrogen produced lower yield of mycelium. This shows that the presence of organic nitrogen is essential for the growth of Ophiocordyceps sphecocephala.
