A taxonomic treatment of a Guizhou specimen confirmed Perennicordyceps prolifica by morphology and phylogeny. It occurred on a lepidopteran cocoon rather than the cicada hosts previously reported from Japan, making this a new Chinese geographic and host record, not a new species. Its Zenodo DOI is registered through DataCite rather than Crossref.
Key findings
- The specimen produced 5-6 cm white synnemata, hirsutella-like phialides and ellipsoidal conidia. It grouped with P. prolifica NBRC 101750 at 96% MLBP and 1.00 PP. The lepidopteran-cocoon host and China locality differ from prior Japanese cicada records.
Why this matters globally
The record updates host-range and biogeographic databases for entomopathogenic fungi, supporting evolutionary and ecological studies of fungus-insect interactions.
Thai researcher contribution
Kevin D. Hyde is affiliated with Mae Fah Luang University's Center of Excellence in Fungal Research and Chiang Mai University's Department of Biology alongside a Chinese institute; the Chiang Mai affiliation was restored from the raw record.
Limitations to consider
Only one specimen was available and no stable culture was obtained, preventing physiology, host-specificity or genome work. Reported mean dimensions appear inconsistent with ranges and should be checked against the treatment and specimen. No biocontrol efficacy is shown.