Caterpillar Fungus s sinensis
 Yartsa Gunbu |
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Article: Infested by the Caterpillar Fungus - A once in a lifetime Tibetan experience.
Detailed Paper: Yartsa Gunbu - Cordyceps sinensis. Economy, Ecology & Ethno-mycology of a Fungus Endemic to the Tibetan Plateau
Paper in German - Raupenpilzbericht auf Deutsch
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Other links: Reuters Article from Chris Buckley 2006
Excellent BBC movie clip showing a tropical Cordyceps taking over an ant.
ENS on violent clashes over collection fee in Dzato
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 If you would like to use any of my photos please contact me by email.
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Two freshly dug (one fully cleaned) caterpillar fungi (Cordyceps sinensis, 8-12 cm long), known in Tibetan as "Yartsa Gunbu" (dbYar rTswa dGun 'Bu) and in Chinese as "Chongcao" [Dong chong xia cao] are laying on Arenaria, a high-altitude cushion plant in the Primulaceae family. The stroma (sporocarp = fruiting body) of the fungus grows above ground in spring or early summer to facilitate spore dispersal. The stroma grows out of the head of the former caterpillar, which otherwise would overwinter buried deep in grass or other perennial roots. The caterpillars, if not taken over by Cordyceps, would grow into a small white ghost moth [Thitarodes (Hepialus) spp.]. © Daniel Winkler Photo June 26, 1997, 4400m, Bachen / Baqen County, Nagchu / Naqu Prefecture, Tibet AR
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The long-term impact of intensive collection on caterpillar fungus and its reproduction is not clear yet. From a mycological point of view, it can be speculated that, if the fungus is collected after it had time to release enough of its spores, there might be no negative impact at all. To the contrary, handling the fungus might even result in wider “spore” dispersal. In many locations caterpillar fungus has been collected for centuries and is still reproducing. However, specimen which are before spore dispersal or early in development are regarded as more desirable than late stage specimen. In the photo above, the specimen [center] with the narrow sporocarp was dug up before it developed its spore producing cells, known as asci. The specimen to the right has well developed asci (see photo below). Cordyceps gathered early in the season often has not had the time to produce spores.© Daniel Winkler Photo: May 1999, 4020m, Litang Town, Ganzi TAP, W-Sichuan.
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A nomad family searching for yartsa gunbu. © Daniel Winkler, Kongpo Barla, 4400m, Meldrogongkar County, Tibet AR, June 2006
Lots of smiles and excitement once that 'needle in the haystack' is found. Both photos: Kongpo Barla, 4400m, Meldrogongkar County, Tibet AR, June 2006© Daniel Winkler
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The distribution area of Cordyceps sinensis is lightly green shaded in this map of the Tibetan Plateau region. Cordyceps sinensis is distributed on grasslands or shrublands, which receive at least 350 mm average annual precipitation in an altitude of 3300m to 5000m. Locally the occurrence of Cordyceps is within an altitudinal range of 500m around the potential treeline.
Cartography: Daniel Winkler 2007, modified from Bu Milano paper.
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Tibetan family camping out in the grasslands to collect Yartsa Gunbu. In early spring Tibetans collect this highly prized medicinal fungus since centuries mostly to be traded down to China. However, with market forces pushing their way onto the plateau Yartsa Gunbu hunting is being intensified since the 1980s. It contributes substantially to herders cash income.
Snow or sleet showers can occur in subalpine grasslands throughout the year. However, even in winter snow rarely remains on the grazing grounds for more than a couple of days due to the intense subtropical insolation. If the snow stays on pastures for several days or longer, it is regarded a snow catastrophe, since livestock will starve without access to the ground. © Daniel Winkler
Photo: April 2000, 4450m, Litang County, Ganzi TAP, W-Sichuan.
© Daniel Winkler
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It's not always snowing at the Junba La. Tibetans camping out in the high pastures to collect Yartsa Gunbu. Several hundred meters up the road this photo has been taken two years later than the previous one.
© Daniel Winkler
Photo: April 2002, 4450m, Litang County, Ganzi TAP, W-Sichuan.
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Sonam Doden, a butter, and seasonally Bu dealer from Kangding and myself searching for bu [worm], as Khampas call the Yartsa Gunbu for short near Gye La (Zhedduo Shankou) at 4100m. One phrase came to my mind again and again 'looking for a needle in a haystack'. Actually, the odds of finding the tiny brown stromata, which here grow around Rhododendrons of the Lapponica subsection, seemed stacked against us. In 3 hours, two experienced Tibetan friends and I found 3 specimen. This site was apparently not a prime collection area.
Photo taken by
Sherab Gyaltsen in Kangding County, Ganzi TAP, Sichuan in April 2004.
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Yartsa Gunbu dealers sitting around freshly bought Cordyceps sinensis on Litang's main street.
During Bu season in May and June this street is buzzing with fungus trade. Khampas from all over Litang and beyond come to town to sell off their families' collections and stock up on goods.
Deals totaling hundred thousands of Yuan (1 US$ = 8.2 Yuan) are made daily in peak season.
© Daniel Winkler
Photo: May 1999, 4020m, Litang Town, Ganzi TAP, W-Sichuan.
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A Bu hunter armed with a little hoe, a favorite tool of Bu and medicinal plant hunters. Digging up roots and not closing the holes can cause injuries to livestock. Not surprisingly herders are not fond of outsiders digging on their grazing grounds. Such conflicts flare up regularly. Also the habitat of Cordyceps' host moth [Thitarodes (Hepialus) spp.] is being disturbed. Most county administrations charge collection fees to their residents and non-residents. The fees for non-residents can very expensive from RMB 800- 4000 per season. A few counties started to ban outsiders from collecting.
© Daniel Winkler Photo: June 1997, 4400m, Baqen County, Nagqu Prefecture, TAR
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 On this mature fruiting body the ascii are clearly visible.
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