Lightning strikes make collecting a parasitic fungus prized in traditional Chinese medicine a deadly pursuit

By: Daile Zhang, University of North Dakota, The Conversation

Outlets: The Conversation

Published: December 30, 2025

Words: 989

Last Updated: 1 week, 4 days ago

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By Daile Zhang, University of North Dakota

In the remote Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, a rare fungus grows inside dead caterpillars. In traditional Chinese medicine, this parasitic fungus is prized for its purported medicinal effects. Known as Ophiocordyceps sinensis – colloquially, caterpillar fungus or “Himalayan gold” – it can fetch astronomical prices on the herbal medicine market: up to US$63,000 per pound.

Ophiocordyceps sinensis fungus is a parasite that targets the caterpillar that is the

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