In China, species of fungi in the genus "Ophiocordyceps" are known to parasitize many kinds of caterpillars, including "P. demoleus". The spores were spread out on the parents, and infect the young caterpillar, then when the caterpillars become pupae, they will fail to develop into adults; instead, the fungi kill and eat the caterpillar flesh from within, and grow a spore bud out of the dead caterpillar corpse. The fungi known as "dōng chóng xià cǎo" are thought to have medicinal properties in China, and are known in English as caterpillar fungus.