Fauna
Fungus

Golden Caterpillar Fungus

Ophiocordyceps sinensis

Also known as Yarsagumba, Caterpillar Fungus, Dong Chong Xia Cao, Himalayan Gold

Golden caterpillar fungus germinates inside live ghost moth caterpillars underground, gradually replacing host tissue with fungal mycelium before killing the insect. In late spring, a single dark, club-like fruiting body sprouts from the head of the mummified caterpillar, breaking through the high alpine soil. Endemic to Himalayan grasslands, this specialized parasite plays a unique role in fragile mountain ecosystems while facing intense pressures.

ParasiticAlpineFungus
Golden Caterpillar Fungus reference1 / 4
(c) Sagnik Dutta Roy, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
—observations
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VulnerableConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXVulnerableRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyGhost moth larvae (Thitarodes species)
Predators
  • Humans
  • Grazing livestock
ThreatsOverharvesting, climate change, habitat degradation
HabitatsHigh alpine meadows and grasslands above 3,500 m
Life spanAnnual fruiting cycle (larval infection spans 1 to 2 years)
Classification
  1. FamilyOphiocordycipitaceae
  2. SpeciesOphiocordyceps sinensis
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskHigh
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is high
Wild-harvested specimens can carry arsenic and wild fungi have toxic look-alikes; never eat wild fungi based on app identification alone.
Why it is dangerous
Wild harvested fruiting bodies bioaccumulate toxic amounts of arsenic and heavy metals from soil, creating severe poisoning hazards if ingested.
How to recognize a risky encounter
Look for a dark brown to black club-shaped stroma arising directly from the head of a buried, yellow-brown host caterpillar.
What to do
Observe and photograph from a safe distance without disturbing the specimen or surrounding alpine turf.
What to notice
Recognize the thin, dark brown fungal stalk protruding from high-elevation grassland turf above 3,500 meters.
Support conservation
Refrain from digging up specimens or purchasing wild-harvested material to help preserve wild populations.
Responsible observation
  • Observation Spotting: Scan the soil surface of alpine meadows in early summer for tiny brownish shoots.
  • Soil Protection: Avoid disturbing delicate high-altitude meadow soil while searching for alpine life.
  • Safety Precaution: Never harvest or consume wild fungi from high mountain habitats.
Related species
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