Synonyms: Apiocrea chrysosperma, Hypocrea chrysosperma, Hypolyssus chrysospermus, Mucor chrysospermus, Mycobanche chrysosperma, Reticularia chrysosperma, Sepedonium chrysospermum, Sepedonium mycophilum, Sporotrichum mycophilum, Sporotrichum rubicundum, Trichoderma mycophilum, Uredo mycophila.
Common name: bolete mould.
Extract from Wikipedia article: The bolete eater, Hypomyces chrysospermus, is a parasitic ascomycete fungus that grows on bolete mushrooms, turning the afflicted host a whitish, golden yellow, or tan color. It is found in Eurasia and North America, as well as southwest Western Australia. Unlike the related Lobster mushroom, H. lactifluorum, the bolete eater and its afflicted host mushrooms are inedible.
Chinese: 金孢菌寄生, Czech: Nedohub zlatovýtrusný, Dutch: Goudgele zwameter, Finnish: Tatinriesa, German: Goldschimmel, Hungarian: Aranypenész, Swedish: Gul svampsnylting.
Hypomyces chrysospermus is a parasitic fungus that infects mushrooms, particularly species of Lactarius and Russula. In East and Central Texas, it has been found to commonly occur on the caps and stems of infected host mushrooms, forming a yellow to golden-brown, powdery or downy coating of conidiophores and conidia. The fungus typically fruits in late summer to early fall, often in association with oak and pine trees. It is widely distributed throughout the region, including areas such as the Lost Maples State Natural Area, Big Thicket National Preserve, and the Edwards Plateau.
Bolete eater (golden yellow parasitic ascomycete fungus Hypomyces chrysospermus on bolete mushrooms) in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, June 6, 2018
Iron Bridge Trail, College Station, TX 77845, USA
Bolete eater mold fungus (Hypomyces chrysospermus) in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, June 6, 2018Iron Bridge Trail, College Station, TX 77845, USA
Parasitic fungus bolete mould (Hypomyces chrysospermus) in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, June 6, 2018Iron Bridge Trail, College Station, TX 77845, USA
Masses of bolete eater mold fungus (Hypomyces chrysospermus) in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, June 6, 2018Iron Bridge Trail, College Station, TX 77845, USA
Bolete mushroom Strobilomyces dryophilus with golden yellow parasitic ascomycete fungus Hypomyces chrysospermus in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, September 25, 2018Iron Bridge Trail, College Station, TX 77845, USA
Golden yellow parasitic ascomycete fungus Hypomyces chrysospermus in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, September 25, 2018Iron Bridge Trail, College Station, TX 77845, USA
Bolete eater fungus (golden yellow parasitic ascomycete fungus Hypomyces chrysospermus) in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, September 25, 2018Iron Bridge Trail, College Station, TX 77845, USA
Bolete mould parasitic fungus (Hypomyces chrysospermus) on Boletus luridellus in Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site. Washington, Texas, September 5, 202023400 Park Rd 12, Washington, TX 77880, USA
Underside of bolete Boletus luridellus with a parasitic fungus Hypomyces chrysospermus on a grassy lawn in Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site. Washington, Texas, September 5, 202023400 Park Rd 12, Washington, TX 77880, USA
Old bolete mushroom with bolete mould (Hypomyces chrysospermus) in Big Creek Scenic Area of Sam Houston National Forest. Shepherd, Texas, October 11, 2020Lone Star Hiking Trail, Coldspring, TX 77331, USA
Pore surface of an old bolete mushroom with bolete mould (Hypomyces chrysospermus) in Big Creek Scenic Area of Sam Houston National Forest. Shepherd, Texas, October 11, 2020Lone Star Hiking Trail, Coldspring, TX 77331, USA
Close-up of pore surface of an old bolete mushroom with bolete mould (Hypomyces chrysospermus) in Big Creek Scenic Area of Sam Houston National Forest. Shepherd, Texas, October 11, 2020Lone Star Hiking Trail, Coldspring, TX 77331, USA
Bolete mould fungus (Hypomyces chrysospermus) under post oaks in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, May 27, 2022Iron Bridge Trail, College Station, Brazos County, Texas, United States
Velvet cap of a bolete mushroom wuth mold fungus Hypomyces chrysospermus in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, May 27, 2022Iron Bridge Trail, College Station, Brazos County, Texas, United States
Spores of fungus Hypomyces chrysospermus in iodine solution under a microscope, collected in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, May 27, 2022
Spore size 13.3 - 16.8 × 12.4 - 15.4 µm, length to width ratio Q = 1 - 1.1.
Spores of fungus Hypomyces chrysospermus in KOH solution under a microscope, collected in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, May 27, 2022
Mold-like fungus Bolete eater (Hypomyces chrysospermus) on Richards Loop Trail in Sam Houston National Forest near Montgomery. Texas, September 6, 2024Little Lake Creek Loop Trail, Montgomery County, Texas, 77873, United States
Close-up of mold-like fungus Bolete eater (Hypomyces chrysospermus) on Richards Loop Trail in Sam Houston National Forest near Montgomery. Texas, September 6, 2024Little Lake Creek Loop Trail, Montgomery County, Texas, 77873, United States
Parasitic fungus Hypomyces chrysospermus on a false truffle (Rhizopogon) on Richards Loop Trail in Sam Houston National Forest near Montgomery. Texas, September 6, 2024FS 203, Montgomery County, Texas, 77873, United States
Section of a false truffle (Rhizopogon) with a parasitic fungus Hypomyces chrysospermus in ultraviolet light from Richards Loop Trail in Sam Houston National Forest near Montgomery. Texas, September 6, 2024
Spores (in KOH) of a parasitic fungus Hypomyces chrysospermus from a false truffle (Rhizopogon) collected on FS203 in Sam Houston National Forest near Montgomery. Texas, September 6, 2024
Spores (in KOH, stacked image) of a parasitic fungus Hypomyces chrysospermus on yellow stage from a false truffle (Rhizopogon) collected in Sam Houston National Forest near Montgomery. Texas, September 6, 2024Observations of Hypomyces chrysospermus were made in various locations across East and Central Texas, including Lick Creek Park, Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site, Big Creek Scenic Area of Sam Houston National Forest, and Richards Loop Trail in Sam Houston National Forest. The fungus was found on bolete mushrooms, such as Strobilomyces dryophilus and Boletus luridellus, as well as on a false truffle (Rhizopogon). It appeared as a golden yellow mold-like growth, often covering the surface of the host mushroom. Microscopic examination of spores in iodine and KOH solutions revealed characteristic features of Hypomyces chrysospermus. The fungus was observed in different stages, including on old bolete mushrooms and under post oaks, suggesting its widespread presence in the region. Observations were made over several years, from 2018 to 2024, indicating a consistent presence of the fungus in East and Central Texas.
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