Moths whose underground caterpillars are infected by the caterpillar fungus, yartsa gunbu.

  • Group: Invertebrate
  • Habitats: Alpine meadow
  • Regions: Ü Tsang, Kham, Amdo

Habitat

Soil of high alpine meadows.

Diet

Caterpillars feed on plant roots underground.

Ecological role

The host of the caterpillar fungus, which makes it the base of an economy worth more to rural Tibetans than any other natural product.

Threats

Intensive digging for caterpillar fungus and warming of the meadows.

Conservation

Not assessed by the IUCN Red List (no assessment found). The photograph shows Thitarodes shambalaensis, described in 2019 as a host of the fungus.

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