caterpillar fungus
English
caterpillar fungus, Ophiocordyceps sinensis, growing on two caterpillars
Noun
caterpillar fungus (plural caterpillar fungi or caterpillar funguses)
- A fungus indigenous to the Tibetan plateau, Ophiocordyceps sinensis, which parasitizes various caterpillars.
- Any fungus of closely related species in genera Ophiocordyceps and Cordyceps, both in order Hypocreales.
- The fungus and host caterpillar body of O. sinensis used in Traditional Chinese Medicine.
References
- caterpillar fungus at OneLook Dictionary Search
- caterpillar fungus in The Century Dictionary, New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911.
