An expedition team has completed a survey of the natural situation of Chinese caterpillar fungus (Cordyceps sinensis) in Qinghai-Tibetan plateau from June 8 to July 2. The 12-person expedition team was made up of Prof. Yang Darong, Assoc. Prof. Sha Liqing etc. from Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden (XTBG).

They walked through Liangshan, Ya’an, Aba, Ganzi of Sichuan Province, Gannan of Gansu Province, Guoluo of Qinghai Province, Changdu, Naqu, Linzhi of Tibet, and Diqing of Yunnan Province. They made field surveys, collected samples of soil, vegetation, vegetable worm, and insect host. The expedition mission was fully completed as scheduled.

 The team members found that excessive collecting ofCordyceps sinensisfor sale at a high price has threatened the environment of the Tibetan platen where it grows. Scientists call for protecting the natural resources as soon as possible.

 Cordyceps sinensis is a species of southwest, mountainous China that attacks caterpillars, specifically the larvae of hepialid moths (identified as species of Hepialus or Thitarodes). The caterpillars feed on the roots of trees and shrubs on the slopes of the Himalayas. When infected by C. sinensis, the fungus mycelium fills the entire body cavity, killing the host, and the caterpillars die near the tops of their burrows. A dark brown, finger-like stroma sprouts near their heads. The entire fungus-caterpillar combination is hand-collected for medicinal use.