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Home » Guide » Arthropods (Arthropoda) » Hexapods (Hexapoda) » Insects (Insecta) » Butterflies and Moths (Lepidoptera) » Moths and caterpillars covered by fungus
Photo#90669
Spiny Moth?
Copyright © 2006 smithjw

Spiny Moth?
Hopkins, Congaree National Park, Richland County, South Carolina, USA
December 17, 2006
Size: 1.5 in
I have never seen anything like this. A colleague suggested that the moth or wasp died and then a fungus invaded creating those appendages. Any input would be welcome.
Contributed by smithjw on 21 December, 2006 - 10:40am
Last updated 16 November, 2012 - 4:42pm

Moved
Moved from Moths.
… john and jane balaban, 16 November, 2012 - 4:42pm

Another image of cordiceps fungi
on a moth from Duke
… john and jane balaban, 11 February, 2007 - 2:51pm

Fungus
Neat find.

See the bottom of this page for similar photos.
… Mike Boone, 21 December, 2006 - 11:03am

 
Wow!
That is so cool!
… Cheryl Moorehead, 22 December, 2006 - 4:53pm

 
Quite interesting; thanks to both of you.
Reminds me of a flocked Christmas tree. Well, 'tiz the season...
… Ron Hemberger, 21 December, 2006 - 2:21pm

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