Ophiocordyceps stylophora (Ophiocordycipitaceae) in Poland: new localities and host species

Piotr Chachuła,Grzegorz Vončina,Piotr Stanczak

doi:10.5586/am.1125

Abstract

<em>Ophiocordyceps stylophora</em>, a rare fungus species in Europe, was first recorded in one locality in Poland in 2011. This paper concerns 33 specimens found between 2011 and 2015 in 23 new localities in five areas. Amongst the described specimens, one was found on the Tenebrionidae beetle, and others grew on Elateridae larvae. For the first time, Tenebrionidae larvae have been observed as hosts of <em>O. stylophora</em>. Five new positions have been located in the southern part of Poland in the area of Oszast and Reberce nature reserves, Babia Góra and Roztocze national parks, and one has been found in the northern part of Poland, in the Elbląg Upland Landscape Park.

Highlights

IntroductionH. Sung et al is a member of Hypocreales (Ascomycota)
Localities (Fig. 1) are located in areas under strict protection, excluded from forest management activities. They are in the Reberce and Oszast nature reserves (Fig. 1) and the Babia Góra National Park (Fig. 1)
Suitable conditions for the development of O. stylophora were created by leaving dead wood in inaccessible places, such as the deep valleys of the streams

Summary

Introduction

H. Sung et al is a member of Hypocreales (Ascomycota). Sung et al is a member of Hypocreales (Ascomycota) It was described in 1857, and classified within genus Cordyceps s. L. In 2007, it was transferred to the genus Ophiocordyceps [1,2]. In 2007, it was transferred to the genus Ophiocordyceps [1,2] This group of fungi exhibits parasitic tendencies [1]. In most cases, they parasitize Coleoptera larvae, but some species have been recorded on insects in the Lepidoptera, Heteroptera, Homoptera, Hymenoptera, and Araneae orders, as well as on fruit bodies of the hypogeous fungi from the genus Elaphomyces [1]. In Poland, 16 species of Cordyceps s. l. have already been recorded [3,4,5]

Objectives

Methods

Conclusion