Ophiocordyceps sphecocephala
| Ophiocordyceps sphecocephala | |
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Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Fungi |
| Division: | Ascomycota |
| Class: | Sordariomycetes |
| Order: | Hypocreales |
| Family: | Ophiocordycipitaceae |
| Genus: | Ophiocordyceps |
| Species: | O. sphecocephala
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| Binomial name | |
| Ophiocordyceps sphecocephala | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
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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.
This is a rare ingredient coveted by Chinese apothecaries and can be worth hundreds of dollars.
References[edit]
- ^ "Ophiocordyceps sphecocephala". MycoBank. International Mycological Association. Retrieved 18 July 2016.
- ^ a b Mains, E. B. (1958). "North American Entomogenous Species of Cordyceps". Mycologia. 50 (2). Mycological Society of America: 169–222. doi:10.2307/3756193. JSTOR 3756193.
- ^ Heo, Jin-Chul; Nam, Sung-Hee (2010). "Anti-asthmatic activities in mycelial extract and culture filtrate of Cordyceps sphecocephala J201". International Journal of Molecular Medicine. 26 (3). Spandidos Publications: 351–356. doi:10.3892/ijmm_00000472. PMID 20664950.
- ^ Oh, Jung Young (2008). "Apoptosis of human hepatocarcinoma (HepG2) and neuroblastoma (SKN-SH) cells induced by polysaccharides-peptide complexes produced by submerged mycelial culture of an entomopathogenic fungus Cordyceps sphecocephala". Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology. 18 (3): 512–519. PMID 18388470.
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