Orbilia sp.

Orbiliomycetes are a small group of fungi containing the family Orbiliaceae.

These are carnivorous fungi or predaceous fungi  that derive some or most of their nutrients from trapping and eating microscopic or other minute  animals.

Species of Orbilia are generally easy to recognise as a convex, translucent, white or brightly coloured disk shaped apothecia. There are approximately 210 species.

Perhaps the most interesting feature of the Orbiliomycetes is the life history of its species.

They possess the ability to capture and consume nematode worms by producing complex networks of hyphal outgrowths which are adhesive and cling to the worm, trapping it, while some form rings which act as lassoing the worm with such force that the worm is soon still and the hyphae grows into it’s victim and digests it.