First Record of Ophiocordyceps dipterigena Berk. & Broome (Ophiocordycipitaceae) in the Himalayas

Abstract

The Himalayas host a variety of unique species; however, their diversity and ecology have yet to be explored. We are reporting Ophiocordyceps dipterigena Berk. & Broome for the first time from the Indian Himalayas; stromata of the species emerging from the thorax and stroma with Hirsutella anamorphs emerging from the anus of an adult Robber fly; as well as the ecological notes pertaining to the status of this parasitic species in the Sikkim Himalayas, and also the potent medicinal properties of the species are discussed here.