Two new species and one asexual morph record of Paraisaria (Ophiocordycipitaceae, Hypocreales) from China

Paraisaria is a genus within Ophiocordycipitaceae, primarily parasitising insect groups such as ants (Hymenoptera), moth larvae (Lepidoptera) and beetle larvae (Coleoptera). The genus is characterised by cylindrical stipes, subglobose to globose fertile heads with immersed perithecia, hyaline, multi-septate ascospores and irregularly branched conidiophores with flask-shaped phialides and cylindrical to fusiform conidia.

Paraisaria is globally distributed, primarily inhabiting tropical and subtropical locations; however, it has also demonstrated adaptability to temperate climates. This study introduces two novel species and reports one asexual morph of Paraisaria from China, providing detailed descriptions, illustrations and molecular phylogenetic analyses. Morphological examination reveals clear distinctions between the new species and previously described taxa.

Multi-locus phylogenetic analyses (LSU, ITS, SSU, tef - 1 α, rpb 1 and rpb 2) corroborate their uniqueness, offering new insights into the diversity and evolutionary dynamics of the genus.