What is the fungus caterpillar?
Caterpillar fungi are the result of a parasitic relationship between the fungus and the larva of the ghost moth commonly found in China. As mushroom grows, it eventually took over caterpillar's life. On contrary, fungus caterpillar is completely beneficial sharing to each other. It is believed that it happens because of the shortage of host plant in the middle of caterpillar's growth process. Somehow, floating hyphae in the air captured a weaken caterpillar and start to sprout. The caterpillar turns to be able to consume dead leaves of any kind due to the effect of hyphae. They shared the advantageous nutrition and grow big and strong. The mushroom also gain mobility (movability). It allows mushroom spread its hyphae in wide range. This is extremely rare mutation. Furthermore, it is not easy to spot them in nature since the caterpillar crawls on the ground among dead leaves consuming them slowly. It looks just a poisonous mushroom. ATBE confirm only one case, but it is believed that the caterpillar and mushroom will be separated when the metamorphosis of caterpillar completes and become a butterfly.