Have you heard about Yarshagumba (Cordyceps sinensis)? It is an amazing association of caterpillars and fungi. I was so surprised to know about the life cycle of the Cordyceps sinensis when I first knew it. It is also known as caterpillar fungus. According to the Tibetan language, the meaning of Yarsaghumna is ‘summer-grass winter worm’. It belongs to the family Clavicipitaceae. It is a parasitic, annual, achlorophyllous fungus. It has two components the lower part is a dead caterpillar and the upper part is a fungus. It has a tiny spike with dark brown fructification and a yellowish-white stalk. The size of the fungus is around 4 to 12 cm in length and 0.14 to 0.4 cm in girth. It is very rare and found above 4000m above sea level.

Half of its life cycle is completed inside the insect especially Lepidopteran Insects available in hilly areas. The fungus grows on caterpillars in the monsoon. The spore of the fungus grows on the living caterpillar. The caterpillar eventually dies. It takes around five to seven years for the fungus to complete its life cycle and produce natural products.

It is a very important fungus as it has many medicinal values. It has been used for the treatment of diseases like asthma, tuberculosis, and chronic bronchitis. It is used for kidney troubles, heart problems including cardiovascular disease and hypertension, leukopenia, insomnia, fatigue, acute and chronic hepatitis, and so on.

Sources:

https://www.ansab.org.np/storage/product/yarsagumba-caterpillar-fungus-1589094435.pdf

https://thediplomat.com/2014/08/yarsagumba-biological-gold/

Figures:

https://www.bradtguides.com/yarsagumba-the-magical-himalayan-caterpillar-fungus/

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/251233480_Advances_in_research_of_the_artificial_cultivation_of_Ophiocordyceps_sinensis_in_China/figures?lo=1&utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic