Scarlet Caterpillar Club
Cordyceps militaris
Safety assessment
Not recommended
Based on reviewed safety sources.
The scarlet caterpillar club is a small, orange-red club that grows from an insect pupa or larva buried in the soil. It is an insect-parasitic fungus and not a regular edible mushroom.
Identification
- A slender, orange-red club growing straight out of soil or moss.
- A buried insect pupa or larva sits beneath the club.
Baltic distribution
- Latvia
- 18
- Lithuania
- 19
- Estonia
- 144
- Global
- 15632
Occurrence records in GBIF — not a claim that the species is absent elsewhere.
Safety first. This information is an educational reference, not a confirmation of an edible mushroom. Identifying fungi is difficult and mistakes can be dangerous. Never eat a mushroom unless you are completely certain of its identity, and consult a certified mycologist.