Ophiocordyceps sinensis infects the larvae of Tibetan ghost moths and is used in traditional Chinese medicine.
Is it true that Ophiocordyceps sinensis infects the larvae of Tibetan ghost moths and is used in traditional Chinese medicine?
Yes. Multiple studies substantiate that Ophiocordyceps sinensis parasitizes Tibetan ghost moth larvae (Hepialidae) and serves as a valued component in traditional Chinese medicine.
Verdict: SUPPORTED · 8 sources for, 0 against · Last checked
The retrieved papers consistently confirm both parts of the claim: that Ophiocordyceps sinensis infects ghost moth (Thitarodes/Hepialidae) larvae and that it is utilized as a traditional Chinese medicine. Thus, the evidence thoroughly supports the claim with no contradicting papers.
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Winkler, D. (2009). Caterpillar Fungus (Ophiocordyceps sinensis) Production and Sustainability on the Tibetan Plateau and in the Himalayas. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.1163/157342109x568829
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Y, W., L, Z., J, W., W, W., N, N., Y, G., & X, W. (2021). Chinese caterpillar fungus (Ophiocordyceps sinensis) in China: Current distribution, trading, and futures under climate change and overexploitation.. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.142548
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J, L., L, G., Z, L., Z, Z., Z, L., Q, L., X, B., S, W., J, W., S, M., J, Z., & Y, Y. (2020). Genomic analyses reveal evolutionary and geologic context for the plateau fungus <i>Ophiocordyceps sinensis</i>.. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13020-020-00365-3
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MACZEY, N., DHENDUP, K., Cannon, P., HYWEL-JONES, N., & RAI, T. B. (2010). Thitarodes namnai sp. nov. and T. caligophilus sp. nov. (Lepidoptera: Hepialidae), hosts of the economically important entomopathogenic fungus Ophiocordyceps sinensis in Bhutan. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.2412.1.3
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Y, D., S, C., Y, W., Y, W., Z, Y., & H, Y. (2024). Molecular phylogenetics of the Ophiocordyceps sinensis-species complex lineage (Ascomycota, Hypocreales), with the discovery of new species and predictions of species distribution.. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.1186/s43008-023-00131-8
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Wang, Z., Zhuang, H., Wang, M., & Pierce, N. E. (2019). Thitarodes shambalaensis sp. nov. (Lepidoptera, Hepialidae): a new host of the caterpillar fungus Ophiocordyceps sinensis supported by genome-wide SNP data. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.885.34638
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Xu, Z., Zhu, Y., Xuan, L., Li, S., & Cheng, Z. (2020). Haplotype Diversity of NADPH-Cytochrome P450 Reductase Gene of Ophiocordyceps sinensis and the Effect on Fungal Infection in Host Insects. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms8070968
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X, B., R, W., X, Q., Y, W., T, L., Q, W., S, L., S, N., & J, G. (2026). <i>Penicillium-</i>mediated toxicity and microbial dysbiosis are associated with fruiting body abortion in artificially cultivated Chinese cordyceps.. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.1080/21505594.2026.2728527
What does the evidence say?
The retrieved papers consistently confirm both parts of the claim: that Ophiocordyceps sinensis infects ghost moth (Thitarodes/Hepialidae) larvae and that it is utilized as a traditional Chinese medicine. Thus, the evidence thoroughly supports the claim with no contradicting papers.
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