OPHIOCORDYCEPS STYLOPHORA (ASCOMYCOTA ...

Polish Botanical Journal 56(2): 321–326, 2011 

OPHIOCORDYCEPS STYLOPHORA (ASCOMYCOTA, HYPOCREALES), 

NEW SPECIES FOR POLAND 

PIOTR CHACHUŁA, GRZEGORZ VONČINA & JOANNA KOZIK 

Abstract. The paper reports the fi rst two records of Ophiocordyceps stylophora (Berk & Broome) G. H. Sung, J. M. Sung, 

Hywel-Jones & Spatafora in Poland, describes, illustrates and briefl y discusses its macroscopic and microscopic characters, and 

briefl y characterizes its habitats in Poland. 

Key words: Fungi, Ophiocordyceps stylophora, distribution, Pieniny National Park, Poland, Europe 

Piotr Chachuła, Grzegorz Vončina & Joanna Kozik, Pieniński Park Narodowy, ul. Jagiellońska 107B, 34-450 Krościenko nad 

Dunajcem, Poland; e-mail: piotrekchacha@gmail.com 

INTRODUCTION 

Ophiocordyceps stylophora (Berk & Broome) 

G. H. Sung, J. M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora 

belongs to the family Ophiocordycipitaceae G. H. 

Sung, J. M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora (Sung 

et al. 2007). Until recently it was placed in the 

broadly conceived genus Cordyceps Fr. The anamorph 

of this species is Hirsutella stylophora 

Mains. Previously, 15 species of Cordyceps s.l. 

were reported from Poland (Krzemieniewski 1928; 

Bujakiewicz 2004; Nita & Bujakiewicz 2004; Van 

Vooren & Audibert 2005; Kautmanová & Kautman 

2006; Kujawa & Gierczyk 2007; Chachuła 2008; 

Mułenko et al. 2008). 

According to Van Vooren and Audibert (2005) 

O. ditmarii is a European species, distinguished 

from O. sphecocephala which occurs in both 

Americas, Africa and Asia. The separation of 

these two species is also recognized by Sung et al. 

(2007), so presumably all the Cordyceps sphecocephala 

specimens reported from Poland actually 

belong to Ophiocordyceps ditmarii, the European 

vicariant of C. sphecocephala. 

Ophiocordyceps stylophora is a fungus parasitizing 

larvae of the order Coleoptera (Kobayasi 

1941). The specimens previously reported in the 

literature produced ochraceous, orange-brownish 

to dark cinnamon brown stromata. The stipes and 

aperithecial apices were concolorous with the fer- 

tile part of the stroma. Total length of stromata 

varied from 1.5 and 4.5 cm, with thickness of 

0.5–2.0 mm. The fertile part, cylindrical in shape 

and reaching 5.5–15.0 mm in length and 2–3 mm 

thickness, occurred below the aperithecial, pointed, 

10–15 mm long apex. A distinctive feature of this 

species is the structure of the perithecial cortex, 

which constitutes a continuation of the outer hyphae 

of the stipe (Massee 1895; Mains 1958). 

Ophiocordyceps stylophora is a rare species, 

known from only a few localities. It was fi rst described 

from South Carolina by Berkeley (1857). 

The next locality was recorded in Minnesota at Minnehaha 

Falls near Minneapolis (MacMillan 1898). 

According to Kobayasi (1941) it was also found in 

North America in Michigan, New York and Tennessee, 

as well as in China (Tien-mu-shan in Chekiang 

Province) and Japan (Honsyû, Mino Province, 

Kawaue-mura). Mains (1958) provides further 

records from South Carolina, Nova Scotia and Illinois, 

and Glare (1992) provides the fi rst fi nding of 

this species in New Zealand, where it was collected 

in the anamorph stage as Hirsutella stylophora. 

So far the only published European locality of 

the Ophiocordyceps stylophora teleomorph is from 

Sweden (Vallda, Hördalens naturreservat, Halland 

County, Kungsbacka municipality) (Nordén 

et al. 2002). Moniz et al. (1999) reports fi nding

322 POLISH BOTANICAL JOURNAL 56(2). 2011 

the anamorph, isolated from coleopteran larvae 

Phoracantha semipunctata in Portugal. 

An interesting fi nd was made in Japan (Settsukyo, 

Takatsuki, Osaka) where O. stylophora occurred 

as host for the probably hyperparasitic 

Cordyceps cuboidea, since a clump of stromata 

of this species was observed on its stipe (Ban et al. 

2009). 

MATERIAL AND METHODS 

This study is based on examination of fresh material 

collected in April 2009 and 2011 in Pieniny National 

Park (Pieniny Mts, Western Carpathians, S Poland). 

Two specimens were identifi ed according to the keys 

published by Kobayasi (1941) and Mains (1958). Microcharacters 

were examined with a Leica DM1000 microscope 

using 100×, 63×, 40× (phase contrast) and 20× 

objectives. Asci and ascospores were studied in Cotton 

Blue solution. All values are means of 15–20 measurements. 

The studied specimens are deposited in the 

fungal Herbarium of the Jagiellonian University in 

Kraków (KRA). Nomenclature of fungi follows Sung 

et al. (2007). Nomenclature of plants follows Mirek 

et al. (2002), Ochyra et al. (2003), and Szweykowski 

(2006). 

RESULTS 

Ophiocordyceps stylophora (Berk & Broome) 

G. H. Sung, J. M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora 

Figs 1 & 2 

Stud. Mycol. 57: 47. 2007. – Cordyceps stylophora Berk 

& Broome, J. Linn. Soc. Bot. 1(4): 158. 1857. 

Stromata brown, 20–26 mm long. Stipes halfcylindrical 

and cylindrical in shape in cross section 

directly under the fertile parts of stromata. Fertile 

parts 5.5–7.0 cm long and 2 cm diam., cylindrical 

shape, with perithecia oriented at right angles to 

the surface. Stipes 0.5–1.0 mm thick. Aperithecial 

stromatal apices 7–8 mm long, pointed and slightly 

curved. Perithecia completely immersed in fertile 

parts of stromata. Cortex of hyphae in fertile parts 

constitutes a continuation of the outer hyphae of 

the stipes. Perithecia 270–417 × 150–210 μm, 

asci 8-spored, 154–220 × 6–10 μm with caps ca 

3.0–5.2 × 3.0–4.2 μm. Ascospores 64.2–183.0 × 

2.0–3.5 μm, multiseptate, with cylindrical cells 

9–24 × 1.8–3.0 μm long, not breaking into segments. 

STUDIED SPECIMENS AND HABITAT 

The two localities of Ophiocordyceps stylophora 

are situated ca 1.4 km from each other in the Pieniny 

Właściwe Mts (Western Carpathians, South 

Poland) within Pieniny National Park in an area 

under strict protection. 

1. Pieniński Potok stream (upper part), beech 

forest (Dentario glandulosae-Fagetum abietetosum 

var. typicum), GPS (WGS 84) 49°25′25″N; 

20°25′00″E; 600 m a.s.l., 22 Apr. 2009, leg. 

& det. G. Vončina, P. Chachuła & J. Kozik (KRA 

F-2009-5). 

A single stroma of Ophiocordyceps stylophora 

was found on a coleopteran larva of the Staphylinidae 

family. The host was embedded in decaying 

wood of Abies alba overgrown with vascular 

plants: Oxalis acetosella, seedlings of Abies alba 

and Picea abies. In the bryophyte layer on the log 

were Blepharostoma trichophyllum, Brachythecium 

rutabulum, Cephalozia bicuspidata, Dicranum scoparium, 

Herzogiella seligeri, Lepidozia reptans, 

Nowellia curvifolia, Orthodicranum montanum, 

Plagiochila asplenioides, Rhizomnium punctatum, 

Sanionia uncinata and Tetraphis pellucida. The tree 

stand in the vicinity of the stream bed consisted of 

Abies alba, Acer pseudoplatanus, Fagus sylvatica 

and Ulmus glabra. The ground cover comprised 

Aegopodium podagraria, Anemone ranunculoides, 

Angelica sylvestris, Asarum europaeum, Athyrium 

fi lix-femina, Caltha palustris, Cardamine amara, 

Chaerophyllum hirsutum, Circaea alpina, Dryopteris 

dilatata, D. fi lix-mas, Galeobdolon luteum, Geranium 

phaeum, G. robertianum, Glechoma hirsuta, 

Impatiens noli-tangere, Isophyrum thalictroides, 

Lamium maculatum, Mercurialis perennis, Milium 

effusum, Oxalis acetosella, Paris quadrifolia, 

Sorbus aucuparia, Stellaria nemorum, Symphytum 

cordatum, Thalictrum aquilegiifolium, Valeriana 

sambucifolia and V. simplicifolia. Species of bryophytes 

in the ground cover included Conocephalum 

salebrosum, Ctenidium molluscum, Plagiochila 

porelloides and Plagiomnium undulatum.

P. CHACHUŁA ET AL.: OPHIOCORDYCEPS STYLOPHORA, NEW SPECIES FOR POLAND 323 

Fig. 1. Ophiocordyceps stylophora (Berk & Broome) G. H. Sung, J. M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora. 1 – stroma, 2 – fertile 

part of stroma with perithecia, 3 – host – larva of Coleoptera, 4 – cross section of fertile part, 5 – perithecium, 6 – ascus, 

7 – ascospore, 8 – component cells of ascospore.


Fig. 2. Distribution of Ophiocordyceps stylophora (Berk 

& Broome) G. H. Sung et al. in Europe. A – new locality of 

O. stylophora (Poland), B & C – hitherto known localities in 

Sweden (B) and Portugal (C). 

2. Skały Piecki rocks, sycamore forest (Phillitido-Aceretum) 

with Phyllitis scolopendrium, GPS 

(WGS 84) 49°24′46″N/20°25′31″E; 617 m a.s.l., 

6 Apr. 2011, leg. P. Chachuła (KRA F-2011-1). 

A single stroma of Ophiocordyceps stylophora 

grew on a coleopteran larva occurring in rotting 

wood. It was embedded in a log of Abies alba 

overgrown with the bryophytes Blepharostoma 

trichophyllum, Dicranum scoparium, Herzogiella 

seligeri, Hypnum cupressiforme, Lepidozia 

reptans, Lophocolea heterophylla and Pterigynandrum 

fi liforme. The tree stand in the vicinity 

consisted of Acer pseudoplatanus accompanied by 

Fagus sylvatica. In the ground cover were Phillitis 

scolopendrium, Polypodium vulgare and Urtica 

dioica. 

DISCUSSION 

Previously, eight species of the genus Cordyceps 

s.l. were found in Pieniny National Park (Gumińska 

1990; Kautmanová & Kautman 2006; Chachuła 

2008; unpublished information about Elaphocordyceps 

rouxii and Ophiocordyceps forquignonii) 

(Table 1). This is the fi rst record of this species 

in Poland, and the second in Europe reporting the 

teleomorph stage (Nordén et al. 2002). When its 

anamorph (Moniz et al. 1999) is included, this 

is the third record of this species in Europe. All 

observations mentioned above were made in protected 

areas such as national parks or nature reserves. 

Such places provide protection for suitable 

habitats and are critical to maintaining the diversity 

of entomopathogenic fungi (Bałazy 2004). 

According to Kobayasi (1941) O. stylophora 

Table 1. Fungi of the genus Cordyceps s.l. occurring in Poland. * – species found in Pieniny National Park. 

Host Species 

Elaphomyces sp. Elaphocordyceps capitata (Holmsk.) G. H. Sung, J. M. Sung & Spatafora* 

E. longisegmentis (Ginns) G. H. Sung, J. M. Sung & Spatafora* 

E. ophioglossoides (Ehrh.) G. H. Sung, J. M. Sung & Spatafora* 

E. rouxii (Cand.) G. H. Sung, J. M. Sung & Spatafora* 

Lepidoptera Cordyceps bifusispora O. E. Erikss. 

C. militaris (L.) Link 

C. tuberculate (Lebert) Maire 

Coleoptera Ophiocordyceps entomorrhiza (Dicks.) G. H. Sung, J. M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora 

O. gracilis (Grev.) G. H. Sung, J. M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora* 

O. stylophora Berk. & Broome G. H. Sung, J. M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora * 

Homoptera Ophiocordyceps clavulata (Schwein.) Petch 

Hymenoptera Ophiocordyceps ditmarii (Quél.) G. H. Sung, J. M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora* 

O. forquignoni (Quél) G. H. Sung, J. M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora* 

O. myrmecophila (Ces.) G. H. Sung, J. M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora 

O. unilateralis (Tul. & C. Tul.) Petch.

P. CHACHUŁA ET AL.: OPHIOCORDYCEPS STYLOPHORA, NEW SPECIES FOR POLAND 325 

Table 2. Comparison of macro- and microcharacters of Ophiocordyceps stylophora Berk. & Broome G. H. Sung, J. M. Sung, 

Hywel-Jones & Spatafora from selected publications. 

Publication 

Character 

Massee 1895 MacMillan 1898 Mains 1958 This paper 

Host Larva of Hexapoda Larva of Carabidae Larva of Elateridae Larva of Elateridae 

Stipe 1.5–2.5 cm high 

1.5–2.0 mm thick 

occurs on larvae of beetles. Presumably the information 

from Massee (1895) also related to beetle 

larvae even though the hosts are given as from the 

subphylum Hexapoda, which included more taxa. 

The few descriptions of characters show considerable 

variation of the morphology and anatomy of 

this species (Table 2). Some stromata examined 

by Mains (1958) were almost twice the length of 

stroma as given by Massee (1895) and the stromata 

we collected. The specimens found in the Pieniny 

Mts had aperithecial stromatal apices 7–8 mm 

long, considerably shorter than the 10–15 mm 

length given by Massee (1895). The fertile parts 

of the stromata in the specimens we collected 

were 5.5–7.0 mm long, shorter than the 10–15 mm 

length given by Massee (1895). The perithecia 

and asci of our specimens resemble the description 

given by Mains (1958). These specimens also 

produced the longest ascospores (64.2–180.3 μm), 

similar to those described by MacMillan (1898) 

with length of 150–180 μm. Massee (1895) described 

the shortest ascospores, up to 135 μm 

long. Ascospore width in the specimens studied 

by MacMillan (1898) and Mains (1958) and in our 

specimens was between 2.0 and 3.5 μm, versus 

1 μm given by Massee (1895). The biggest differences 

relate to cell segment length. The ascospores 

Massee (1895) observed by produced the shortest 

cells (3.5 μm long); in others they were 6–7 μm 

long (MacMillan 1898). The specimens collected 

in the Pieniny Mts had considerably longer cell 

– 1.5–4.5 cm high 


Aperithecial apice 10–15 mm long – Long acuminate sterile 

apice 

Fertile part 

of the stroma 

10–15 mm long 


segments (9–24 μm), but the longest (12–29 μm) 

were studied by Mains (1958). 

According to Mains (1941, 1958), O. stylophora 

stromata reach full maturity in May after 

overwintering. Most of the specimens housed in 

herbaria were collected in the summer, so only 

a few collections include fully mature stromata. 

The specimens we described were collected in 

spring and with mature ascospores, presumably 

having overwintered. 

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. We are grateful to Dr. Anna Kujawa 

(Institute for Agriculture and Forest Environment 

of the Polish Academy of Sciences) for help during 

the preparation of this paper, and to the anonymous 

reviewers for valuable remarks on the manuscript. 

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2.0–2.6 cm high 


7–8 mm long 

– Up to 2 mm thick 5.5–7.0 mm long 

2 mm thick 

Perithecia – – 240–420 × 144–240 μm 270–417 × 150–210 μm 

Asci – – 170–220 × 8–10 μm 154–220 × 6–10 μm 

Ascospores 125–135 × 1 μm 150–180 × 2 μm 102–164 × 2–3 μm 64.2–180.3 × 2.0–3.5 μm 

Component cells 3.5 × 1.0 μm 6–7 × 1 μm 12–29 × 2–3 μm 9–24 × 1.8–3.0 μm 

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