Vegetable Caterpillar

Vegetable Caterpillar Photographer - Bruce Fuhrer

Cordyceps cranstounii

One of several species insect parasites. C. cranstounii feeds on Goat Moth larvae, replacing caterpillar tissue with fungal tissue.

When the food supply is exhausted the fungus sends up a 'stem' to ground level which then produces the fertile fruiting bodies seen as cream coloured clubs on the left of the photo.

The mummified caterpillars (on the leaf) are shown with outer chiton skin intact.