Cunningham. — The Genus Cordyceps in New Zealand. 



381 



Spores in parallel fascicles in asci, filiform, same thickness throughout, 

 ends bluntly pointed, multiseptate, 100-120 X 2-2-5 //. ; secondary spores 

 easily separable in ascus, 3-4 X 2-2-5 p.. 



Host. — Larva of Aemona hirta Fabr. ; growing from head. (Plate LIX, 

 figs. 2, 3.) 



Type Locality. — Weraroa (G. H. C), in rotting logs of mahoe (Melicytus 

 ramiflorus Forst.). 



Distribution. — Known only from type locality. 



No. 78, Biol. Lab. Herb. (Crypt.), Wellington. (Co-type.) 



These specimens were collected by the author and sent to C. G-. Lloyd. 

 They were obtained from rotting logs of mahoe. This is a brittle, soft 

 wood, soon decaying on contact with the ground. The parasitized larvae 

 were all found with their heads towards the surface of the log. It is 

 apparently necessary for the stromata to make their way through about 

 5 mm. of solid wood before coming to the surface ; frequently, however, 

 they follow the old larval tunnels until they come to an opening at the 

 exterior. 



C3 



7 8 



[Drawn by E. H. Atkinson. 

 Cordyceps Aemonae Lloyd. 



Fig. 7. — Transverse section through fertile portion of stroma. (Enlarged.) 



Fig. 8. — A. Perithecium (enlarged), showing coalescence of walls. B. Capitate apex 



of ascus. C. Base of ascus, showing hyaline pedicel. D. Secondary spores, 



3-4 X 2-2-5 n. 



Although the perithecia are superficial, in section they appear to be 

 immersed. That this is due to the coalescence of the perithecial walls with 

 the formation of a pseudo-stromal tissue, careful microscopic examination 

 shows. (Text-fig. 2, A.) 



Note on the Host (by J. G. Myers). — Aemona hirta Fabr., Broun in Man. 

 N.Z. Coleopt., p. 570, 1275 : This fairly common Cerambycid beetle was 

 reared by David Miller, Government Entomologist, from healthy larvae 

 taken with specimens undoubtedly of the same species, infested with the 

 mycelium of Cordyceps Aemonae Lloyd. This beetle is variable in size, 

 colour, and relative quantity of pubescence, one variety formerly ranking 

 as a distinct species under the name of Aemona humilis Newman. The 

 latter species, commonly known as the " flat-headed lemon-tree borer." 

 falls, according to Broun (3), into synonymy with Aemona hirta Fabr. under 

 the name of A. humilis. The species has been recorded as a pest of lemon- 

 trees in the Auckland District (4). 



The beetle passes its larval and pupal stages in manuka (Leptospermum 

 scoparimn Forst.) (3), mahoe, and a variety of other trees and shrubs 

 {teste W. W. Smith, Taranaki). 



