Ophiocordyceps Nutans

Ophiocordyceps Nutans

• Recently, researchers have found Ophiocordyceps nutans (fungi) for the first time in central India, at the Kanger Valley National Park in Bastar, Chhattisgarh.
• Earlier, these have been reported in India only from the Western Ghats.
• Ophiocordyceps nutans host on a specific insect, Halyomorpha halys.
• Halyomorpha halys is commonly known as the stink bug and is a pest to forest trees and agricultural crops.
• The stink bug is known to damage the flower and fruits of soybean, green beans, apple, pear, etc.
• Studies have shown that these fungi can be used as a biological pest control agent against the stink bugs.
• Exploring these fungi as a pesticide will help reduce the harmful effect of chemicals in fields.
• In the Western Ghats, the local people use these fungi as an immune stimulator.
• Scientists claim that it contains a component called ‘cordycepin’ which has anti-cancer properties.

Kanger Valley National Park

• Kanger Valley got the status of a national park in 1982.
• It derives its name from the Kanger River, one of the very few perennial rivers of Bastar.
• The park is a typical mixed humid deciduous type of forest, in which the Sal, Saugaun, teak, and bamboo trees are available in abundance.
• The most popular species in this area is the state bird of Chattisgarh, Bastar Hill Myna which is capable of emulating the human voices.
• The park is known for the presence of underground limestone caves.