Identification of new lepidopteran hosts of Cordyceps militaris based on DNA barcoding and larval morphology

The primary hosts of Cordyceps militaris are Lepidoptera. Compared to C. militaris produced from host-based cultivation, the favorable bioactive compound of C. militaris produced by solid or liquid culture methods are often inferior. The primary host employed in C. militaris artificial cultivation is silkworm (Bombyx mori). However, the quality of artificially cultivated C. militaris is rather limited because it only has one host and silkworms are not the natural host of the species. The fungal and host species were identified in this study using DNA barcoding technology, which was combined with the morphological characteristics of the host larvae and pupae. Three new hosts of C. militaris from the family Notodontidae were identified: Peridea lativitta (Wileman, 1911), Euhampsonia cristata (Butler, 1877), and Neodrymonia (Neodrymonia) coreana Matsumura, 1922. The preliminary identification of some available characteristics of the larvae of P. lativitta and N. (N.) coreana in the parasitized state was clarified, offering essential details for the future advancement and application of C. militaris resources.