(9 votes, average: 4.00 out of 5)
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Scarlet Caterpillarclub
Edible 
Autumn 
Summer 
Winter 
The commonest Cordyceps species growing in the UK although being small can make it hard to find.
| Mushroom Type | |
| Common Names | Scarlet Caterpillarclub (EN), Pastwn Coch y Lindys (CY), Maczużnik Bojowy (PL), Vörös Rovarrontógomba (HU) |
| Scientific Name | Cordyceps militaris |
| Season Start | Aug |
| Season End | Nov |
| Average Mushroom height (CM) | 3-5 |
| Average Cap width (CM) | 0.3-0.5 |
Fruiting Body
3-5cm long, 3-5mm wide. The slightly swollen bright orange to scarlet/orange fruit body is covered in raised pores.
Stem
Under the fruiting body is a thinner, pale stem leading down to the buried pupae or larvae.
Bulbous Base
It does not have a bulbous base but is attached to a butterfly or moth larva or pupa which can appear bulbous or large if the mushroom is unearthed.
Habitat
In grassland or woodland edges.
Possible Confusion
Can look similar to some Clavaria species but these grow in groups rather than the normally single Scarlet Caterpillarclub.
Spore Print
White. It has barrel shaped spores that first appear joined like a string of sausages.
Taste / Smell
Earthy, nutty
Frequency
Fairly common.
Other Facts
The Scarlet Caterpillarclub takes over a butterfly or moth larvae or pupae and grows from inside the larva, filling it with mycelium.
1 comment for Scarlet Caterpillarclub
Looking forward to working with your products. Right now I have plenty of Chaga but am excited to grow cordyceps.
We are about 1year into growing different mushrooms and making tinctures.