On July 18, 2025, during route surveys of macromycete fungi in the Kuzminki-Lyublino Natural and Historical Park, researchers discovered a species of the 3rd category of rarity, listed in the Red Book of the city of Moscow - Ophiocordyceps entomorrhiza. The find confirms the high biological value of this natural area within the Moscow city limits.
The surveys were conducted by researchers from the A.N. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution of the Russian Academy of Sciences and the Faculty of Biology of the Lomonosov Moscow State University. The fungus was found during biodiversity monitoring aimed at identifying rare species. According to available data, this type of fungus is registered for the first time on the territory of the Kuzminki-Lyublino Natural and Historical Park.
Ophiocordiceps entomorrhiza is a parasitic fungus that attacks insects and helps control their numbers in the ecosystem.
“This discovery is an important reminder of the need to protect even small natural areas in a metropolis. And listing species in the Red Book is important for drawing attention to monitoring rare species,” the experts note.
Scientists emphasize that the preservation and further study of such species is possible only with strict observance of the conservation status of the territories and careful attitude of visitors to the nature of the parks.