Ophiocordyceps sphecocephala

Ophiocordyceps sphecocephala
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Fungi
Division: Ascomycota
Class: Sordariomycetes
Order: Hypocreales
Family: Ophiocordycipitaceae
Genus: Ophiocordyceps
Species:
O. sphecocephala
Binomial name
Ophiocordyceps sphecocephala
(Klotzsch ex Berk.) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora (2007)
Synonyms[1]
  • Cordyceps sphaecophila (Klotzsch ex Berk.) Berk. & M.A. Curtis (1868)
  • Cordyceps sphecocephala (Klotzsch ex Berk.) Berk. & M.A. Curtis (1869)
  • Sphaeria sphecocephala Klotzsch ex Berk. (1843)
  • Torrubia sphecocephala (Klotzsch ex Berk.) Tul. & C. Tul. (1865)

Ophiocordyceps sphecocephala is a species of insect-pathogenic fungus, meaning it grows within insects, particularly wasps of the genera Polistes, Tachytes, and Vespa. It has been reported across the Americas and China.[2]

Physically, its stromata can be 2–10 cm long and form an egg-shaped head. It is typically cream or yellow in color.[2]

The fungus may also have potential medical implications, including possible anti-asthmatic or anti-cancer properties.[3][4]

After the fungus takes control of the insect, the host typically moves to an elevated location, where the fungus eventually sprouts from the body.

Studies have shown that a higher mycelial yield of Ophiocordyceps sphecocephala is produced in media containing organic nitrogen, while media lacking organic nitrogen result in lower mycelial growth. This indicates that the presence of organic nitrogen is essential for the growth of Ophiocordyceps sphecocephala.

References

  1. ^ "Ophiocordyceps sphecocephala". MycoBank. International Mycological Association. Retrieved 18 July 2016.
  2. ^ a b Mains, E. B. (1958). "North American Entomogenous Species of Cordyceps". Mycologia. 50 (2). Mycological Society of America: 169–222. doi:10.2307/3756193. JSTOR 3756193.
  3. ^ Heo, Jin-Chul; Nam, Sung-Hee (2010). "Anti-asthmatic activities in mycelial extract and culture filtrate of Cordyceps sphecocephala J201". International Journal of Molecular Medicine. 26 (3). Spandidos Publications: 351–356. doi:10.3892/ijmm_00000472. PMID 20664950.
  4. ^ Oh, Jung Young (2008). "Apoptosis of human hepatocarcinoma (HepG2) and neuroblastoma (SKN-SH) cells induced by polysaccharides-peptide complexes produced by submerged mycelial culture of an entomopathogenic fungus Cordyceps sphecocephala". Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology. 18 (3): 512–519. PMID 18388470.

Doan, TPT (Doan, T. P. T.) [1]; Nguyen, VH (Nguyen, V. H.) [2]; Shrestha, B (Shrestha, B.) [3]; Tran, TTH (Tran, T. T. H.) [1], [4]; Nguyen, TM (Nguyen, T. M.) [1]IN VITRO GROWTH CHARACTERISTICS AND BIOACTIVITIES OF THE CULTIVATED MYCELIUM OF OPHIOCORDYCEPS SPHECOCEPHALA FROM VIETNAM

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