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Dung beetle is a member of the Psatirellaceae family, the genus Coprinellus or Dung beetle. The only synonym for the name of this species is the ancient Greek term Coprinus domesticus.
Where does the dung beetle grow
The optimal time for fruiting is from May to September. In most cases, it grows on stumps, small fallen branches, as well as on or near dead, decaying hardwood trunks. Preference is given to aspens and birches. Sometimes this specimen can be found nearby with wooden buildings. As a rule, these mushrooms grow singly, in rare cases they are combined into small groups. They are quite rare in nature.
What does a home dung beetle look like
The fruiting body of the domestic dung beetle is presented in the form of a cap and a leg with the following characteristics.
- At the initial stage of development, the cap has an elliptical or ovoid shape. As it grows older, it becomes bell-shaped, and after some time it becomes semi-prostrate with a clearly visible tubercle in the middle. Depending on the shape, the size of the hat varies from 2,5 to 6,5 cm in diameter. The skin is colored light ocher or brown with a darker spot located in the center. The young cap of this specimen is covered with a granular fine coating of white, which disappears at an older age. On its inner side there are thin, frequent, wide and white plates, which eventually change their color to a brown or dark brown tone with light specks. Spore powder is black.
- The leg is cylindrical, thickened at the base, the length of which is 4-8 cm, and the thickness is about 5 mm in diameter. Inside is hollow, brittle, smooth, white or cream-colored. The base is swollen, covered with a yellowish-brown coating, consisting of vegetative hyphae of the mycelium (ozonium).
- Spores are bean-curved, cylindrical, smooth dark brown or black in color.
- The flesh is thin, fibrous in the stem, and elastic in the cap. Painted white, has no pronounced odor.
The main differences between the old mushroom and the young one are the following: black plates, prostrate shape of the cap, absence or rare arrangement of flaky scales on the surface.
Is it possible to eat homemade dung beetle
This specimen is not recommended for use as food, as it is classified as an inedible mushroom. There is no information about its toxicity. Due to the small size of the fruiting body, as well as for a number of other reasons, it is not of particular value in cooking.
Similar species
The most similar species is a representative of the same family as the specimen in question, called the flickering dung beetle.
This mushroom at the initial stage has an ovoid cap, later it becomes bell-shaped, and then prostrate. On the inside there are frequent and white plates, which begin to darken with age. Spore powder black. Thus, this species is similar to the domestic dung beetle in many respects. However, a distinguishing feature is the small size of the fruiting body of the twin, and shiny scales are located on the surface of the cap, which are easily washed off under running water. In addition, this variety lacks the mycelium on the rusty-brown stalk, which is inherent in the house dung beetle. Despite the fact that the double is an edible mushroom, it is not endowed with canceled taste qualities.
Conclusion
Dung beetle is one of the rarest mushrooms of the Psatirellaceae family. It tends to grow singly or in small groups on stumps or rotten hardwood trees. Thus, this specimen can be found not only in the forest, but also outside it, for example, in a park or near wooden buildings. Having noticed this specimen, one should not forget that it belongs to the category of inedible mushrooms.
