LarvaHunter Posted June 27, 2014 Report Posted June 27, 2014 This is a dead Phileurus truncatus that died and dried out. A fungus grew from within and grew outwards. Could this fungus live within this larva until adulthood, and spread the fungus elsewhere when it flies to other trees? Quote
wizentrop Posted June 29, 2014 Report Posted June 29, 2014 Super interesting, and I wish I could examine this in person. The fungus looks like a species from the Ophiocordyceps group.I think it is safe to assume that the fungus killed the larva, before growing outwards.The obvious question here is - did you collect this larva in the wild, or do you think it got infected in captivity? Quote
LarvaHunter Posted June 29, 2014 Author Report Posted June 29, 2014 I collected it in the wild. My sub was baked well, I don't believe the larva was infected in captivity. I can send you the dried specimen, it shrank quite a bit though. Quote
wizentrop Posted July 1, 2014 Report Posted July 1, 2014 Thanks, no need to send the specimen - I just got curious but I am no fungus expert. I have seen insect-feeding fungi like these many times in South America, but never encountered such a big fungus (and host) in North America. Quote
LarvaHunter Posted July 2, 2014 Author Report Posted July 2, 2014 I like fungus, I am very interested in insect feeding fungi, and how interconnected the two are. I wonder if like the Ophiocordyceps unilateralis fungus that attacks the brains of these ants and then controls the ants brain like a gps and make the ants bite the center stalk of leaves oriented north, northwest ~25 cm from ground level. Then the fungus pops out the ants head and rains spores on other ant exoskeletons. It makes me wonder about all these different fungi and if they affect any other insects behavior, or use the insects to spread out. Quote
AlexW Posted July 2, 2014 Report Posted July 2, 2014 Members of the genus Ophiocordyceps that parasitize larvae, like O. sinensis, will always kill the larva and sprout a reproductive structure before it can pupate into an adult. Quote
wizentrop Posted July 2, 2014 Report Posted July 2, 2014 They attack many insects, not only ants. See this video of an infected dynastid larva in Ecuador:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UsyBoDc8w6I Quote
LarvaHunter Posted July 3, 2014 Author Report Posted July 3, 2014 Thanks for that link, that video is truly amazing! Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.