Slime Mould on Fomes fomentarius?

[Bob Hazell]

I photographed this Hoof Fungus in Wappenbury Woods near Coventry yesterday. This is an ancient woodland and hoof fungus is very common. This particular specimen was circa 30 cms across and on closer inspection appeared to have a slime mould on its underside. Unfortunately the fungus was at least a metre above me so it wasn’t possible to get the sharpest photo. I would appreciate thoughts on the “slime mould” as (1) It may be specific to the Hoof Fungus or (2) It may actually be some other form of parasitic fungus. As always many thanks for your consideration.

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[Lancashire Lad]

Hi Bob,

Interesting post – and not something I’ve personally seen, although I must have looked at several hundred Fomes fomentarius basidiocarps, as the species is quite common in my area.

I’m pretty certain that this isn’t a myxomycete. – (It just doesn’t look right for any slime mould that I can think of).

My initial thoughts were of tiny ice crystals – but given the warm weather of late, (even if the shots were taken very early in the day), I don’t think that could be a realistic possibility.

I stand to be corrected by anyone who has experience of this sort of thing, but I think it plausible that the basidiocarp has been attacked by one of the (several) tiny fungivorous beetles that attack Fomes fomentarius.

If beetle activity is going on behind the pore surface, this could be white “frass” being expelled to differing degrees from various pore tubes.

At bottom left of second image is, (I’m fairly certain), a sheet-like, (sticky?) spider’s web, covered in frass which would have been wind blown from the adjacent pore surface.

Regards,

Mike.

[Bob Hazell]

Thanks Mike. Certainly as you say it couldn’t be ice crystals as the temperature was about 14c when the photo was taken. Beetle activity is an interesting speculation – I would have expected the areas of frass to be more joined up as the beetles excavated (but then again mole hills aren’t). Would like to take another look but suspect I won’t get an opportunity for several weeks. Really appreciate your thoughts.

[Author]

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