Akanthomyces aculeatus infecting a moth specimen in Howard Co., Maryland (1/23/2019). Verified by Jo Solem. Identification based solely on macrocharacteristics.
Akanthomyces aculeatus infecting a moth specimen in Howard Co., Maryland (1/23/2019). Verified by Jo Solem. Identification based solely on macrocharacteristics.
Akanthomyces aculeatus infecting a moth specimen in Howard Co., Maryland (1/8/2019). Verified by Jo Solem. Identification based solely on macrocharacteristics.
Conidia (asexual spores) of anamorph stage of Akanthomyces aculeatus collected in Howard Co., Maryland (9/21/2018). Fusiform, smooth, hyaline; measured 3.9-5.0 x 2.2-2.6 microns.
"Parasitizing and emerging from the bodies of moths with multiple rod-like structures arising from a single moth" (Elliott & Stephenson). The anamorph (asexual) stage of this fungus is marked by rod-like structures arising from a white mycelium on the host. The rods are covered by conidia (asexual spores). The infected moth is attached firmly to a branch or other substrate by mycelium. (J. Solem, pers. comm.)
Because certain stages of Cordyceps tuberculata and C. sphingum (and perhaps others) can be confused with Akanthomyces aculeatus, microscopic examination is necessary to establish certain identity (Ascomycetes of North America, M. Beug, A. E. Bessette, A. R. Bessette, 279-80).
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Akanthomyces aculeatus infecting moth specimen in Howard Co., Maryland (9/21/2018). Photo shows host moth with fungal rods covered with conidia (asexual spores).
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Joanne Solem.
A moth parasitized by Akanthomyces aculeatus in Howard Co., Maryland (2/11/2018). Determined by Alan Bessette via microscopic examination.
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Bonnie Ott.
Akanthomyces aculeatus infecting a moth specimen in Howard Co., Maryland (1/23/2019). Verified by Jo Solem. Identification based solely on macrocharacteristics.
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Sue Muller.
Akanthomyces aculeatus infecting a moth specimen in Howard Co., Maryland (1/23/2019). Verified by Jo Solem. Identification based solely on macrocharacteristics.
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Media by
Sue Muller.
Akanthomyces aculeatus infecting a moth specimen in Howard Co., Maryland (1/23/2019). Identification based solely on macrocharacteristics.
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Media by
Joanne Solem.
Akanthomyces aculeatus infecting a moth specimen in Howard Co., Maryland (1/8/2019). Verified by Jo Solem. Identification based solely on macrocharacteristics.
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Anna Schrad.
Spores of Akanthomyces aculeatus in Howard Co., Maryland (9/21/2018). (c) Joanne and Robert Solem, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC).
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Joanne Solem.
Conidia (asexual spores) of anamorph stage of Akanthomyces aculeatus collected in Howard Co., Maryland (9/21/2018). Fusiform, smooth, hyaline; measured 3.9-5.0 x 2.2-2.6 microns.
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Media by
Robert Solem.