Ophiocordyceps sinensis

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Ophiocordyceps sinensis, formerly Cordyceps sinensis and colloquially known as caterpillar fungus, is an insect-pathogenic fungus in the family Ophiocordycipitaceae. It is primarily found in high-altitude regions of the Tibetan Plateau. It parasitizes larvae of ghost moths and produces a fruiting body which is valued in traditional Chinese medicine and Nepalese medicine as an aphrodisiac. However, naturally harvested fruiting bodies often contain high amounts of arsenic and other heavy metals, making them potentially toxic. As a result, their sale has been strictly regulated by China's State Administration for Market Regulation since 2016. O. sinensis parasitizes the larvae of moths within the family Hepialidae, specifically genera found on the Tibetan Plateau and in the Himalayas between elevations of 3,000–5,000 m (9,800–16,400 ft). found across Tibet, the Himalayan regions of India, Bhutan and Nepal, and several Chinese provinces (Qinghai, Sichuan, and Yunnan). The fungus germinates...

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