Caterpillar club Scarlet caterpillar club (Cordyceps militaris) cultivated in a lab for use as an herbal supplement. It can be grown commercially using silkworm pupae or in substrates of rice and other nutrients. (more) cordyceps fungus, genus Cordyceps Ask the Chatbot a Question More Actions Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/science/cordyceps Feedback Corrections? Updates? Omissions? Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Feedback Type Select a type (Required) Factual Correction Spelling/Grammar Correction Link Correction Additional Information Other Your Feedback Submit Feedback Thank you for your feedback Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.

　　External Websites Ask the Chatbot a Question Also known as: Cordyceps Written by Melissa Petruzzello Melissa Petruzzello is Assistant Managing Editor and covers a range of content including plants, algae, and fungi; insects and spiders; and renewable energy and environmental engineering. She also handles... Melissa Petruzzello Fact-checked by The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica Last Updated: Apr 9, 2025 • Article History Table of Contents Table of Contents Ask the Chatbot { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "FAQPage", "mainEntity": [ { "@type" : "Question", "name" : " What is the primary ecological role of Cordyceps fungi? ", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "Cordyceps fungi are primarily endoparasites that infect and digest insects and other arthropods." } } , { "@type" : "Question", "name" : " Where are Cordyceps fungi found? ", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "Cordyceps fungi have a cosmopolitan distribution and are found on every continent except Antarctica." } } , { "@type" : "Question", "name" : " What are some medicinal uses of cordyceps fungi? ", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "Cordyceps species (some of which have been reclassified to other genera) are used in herbal and traditional Chinese medicine for their bioactive compounds, which may have antioxidant, antitumor, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and other health properties." } } , { "@type" : "Question", "name" : " What is the most expensive fungus in the world? ", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "Ophiocordyceps sinensis is considered the most expensive fungus in the world, fetching up to $110,000 per kilogram for high-quality specimens. It is used in traditional Chinese medicine." } } ] } Top Questions What is the primary ecological role of Cordyceps fungi? Cordyceps fungi are primarily endoparasites that infect and digest insects and other arthropods.

　　Where are Cordyceps fungi found? Cordyceps fungi have a cosmopolitan distribution and are found on every continent except Antarctica.

　　What are some medicinal uses of cordyceps fungi? Cordyceps species (some of which have been reclassified to other genera) are used in herbal and traditional Chinese medicine for their bioactive compounds, which may have antioxidant, antitumor, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and other health properties.

　　What is the most expensive fungus in the world? Ophiocordyceps sinensis is considered the most expensive fungus in the world, fetching up to $110,000 per kilogram for high-quality specimens. It is used in traditional Chinese medicine.

　　cordyceps, (genus Cordyceps), genus of more than 300 species of fungi, the majority of which are endoparasites that infect and digest insects and other arthropods. The fungi have a cosmopolitan distribution and are found on every continent except Antarctica; they are particularly diverse in Asia. Several species have a long history of use in herbal medicine and traditional Chinese medicine and have grown in popularity as health supplements. The genus has undergone a number of taxonomic revisions, and some species known or marketed as cordyceps are now placed in other genera. See also zombie-ant fungus (Ophiocordyceps unilateralis). Taxonomy See also ...(100 of 892 words)

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