Life cycle:
1. Moth lay its egg on grass, leaf or soil.
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2. Larva is hatched and goes under the soil
3. Cordyceps spores infect the larvae
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4. Spores nibble from the inside of the larvae out, then grow a stick like object (Fruiting Body) on the surface.
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5. Fruiting body starts to produce spores
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When the Fruiting Body ripens, it will spray out millions of spores
What is Cordyceps Militaris?
This fungus belongs to the genus Cordyceps which consists of around 400 species. Most of these fungal species are endoparasitoids. This means that these fungi get attached to the hosts and establish themselves in the body of the latter, which get killed ultimately. Cordyceps militaris is no exception, as it enters the body of the host and grows its vegetative part called mycelium, inside the latter's body.
As the mycelium grows, the host gets killed and the fruiting bodies of the fungus emerge out. The shape, color and size of these fruiting bodies may vary with the type of fungus. One of the most popular fungi in this genus is Cordyceps sinensis, which thrives on the larva of the ghost moth. Another commonly known member of this genus is Cordyceps unilateralis, which uses ants as hosts.
Cordyceps militaris is also among the much sought-after fungi for its therapeutic properties. This fungi attacks the larvae (or pupae) of butterflies and moths. The fungus lives inside the larva (worm) and grows the mycelium and keeps the host alive, till the former produces the fruiting body/stroma (grass). In case of Cordyceps militaris, the fruiting body is club-shaped. These elongated fruiting bodies grow to a length of around 2 to 8 cm and have a width of about 0.5 cm.
While the top part is orange with grainy surfaces, the lower portions are paler and get narrow at the base. The host larvae, from which the fruiting bodies of these fungi develop, are often found to be buried in the ground with a pale orange flesh that is watery in nature.
Cordyceps militaris is found in the Baekdu Mountain. The Baekdu Mountain has been worshiped by Manchus throughout history as they consider it the place of their ancestral origin. When the Manchus occupied China and established the Qing Dynasty, the Baekdu Mountain was off limits to everyone and Cordyceps militaris were only allowed to be harvested by imperial physicians. Only the Emperor or Imperial Officials were allowed to consume Cordyceps militaris thus only Cordyceps sinensis were better known among the commoners.