Laetiporus portentosus

White Punk at Cook, ACT

Laetiporus portentosus at Cook, ACT - 15 Sep 2020
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Identification history

Laetiporus portentosus 16 Sep 2020 Heino1
Laetiporus portentosus 16 Sep 2020 Heino1
Unidentified 16 Sep 2020 Tammy

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4 comments

Heino1 wrote:
   16 Sep 2020
Very well chewed! There's virtually nothing left.
Tammy wrote:
   16 Sep 2020
Do you know who would chew it, possums?
Heino1 wrote:
   16 Sep 2020
It is typical for the fruitbodies of this species to be heavily infested with invertebrates. They create lots of tunnels through the fruitbody and the holes that show in your photo are remnants of tunnels created by burrowing invertebrates. Mass chewing weakens the fruitbody so bits (or the the whole fruitbody) can fall off - and it is common to see parts of (or entire, but chewed) fruitbodies on the ground, where they often resembles irregularly-shaped lumps of polystyrene. Even without grub attack, the fruitbodies of this species generally don't stay on the tree for too long and, very occasionally, you might even see a largely intact fruitbody on the ground. If you look at the photos of this species on Canberra Nature Map you will see that many show grub chew holes - but some show obvious bite marks caused by larger animals. Various native animals are known to eat fungi, often opportunistic rather than deliberate (though consumption of native truffles is an exception). I don't known which larger animals eat this Laetiporus, but invertebrates are the main consumers.
Tammy wrote:
   16 Sep 2020
Thanks for the information. Very interesting.

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Nearby sightings

Page 1 of 3 - image sightings only

Lampides boeticus (Long-tailed Pea-blue) at Cook, ACT - 18 Mar 2024 by Tammy
Melithreptus brevirostris (Brown-headed Honeyeater) at Cook, ACT - 2 Mar 2024 by Tammy
Papilio anactus (Dainty Swallowtail) at Cook, ACT - 29 Feb 2024 by Tammy
Corvus coronoides (Australian Raven) at Cook, ACT - 5 Feb 2024 by Tammy
Ocybadistes walkeri (Green Grass-dart) at Cook, ACT - 1 Feb 2024 by Tammy
Papilio aegeus (Orchard Swallowtail, Large Citrus Butterfly) at Cook, ACT - 27 Jan 2024 by Tammy
Lipotriches flavoviridis species group at Cook, ACT - 27 Jan 2024 by Tammy
Sporobolus africanus (Parramatta Grass, Rat's Tail Grass) at Aranda, ACT - 23 Jan 2024 by lbradley
Halone sinuata (Rock Lichen Moth) at Cook, ACT - 3 Jan 2024 by Tammy
Lasioglossum (Chilalictus) sp. (genus & subgenus) (Halictid bee) at Cook, ACT - 23 Dec 2023 by Tammy
Hemicordulia tau (Tau Emerald) at Cook, ACT - 21 Dec 2023 by Tammy
Heteronympha merope (Common Brown Butterfly) at Cook, ACT - 6 Dec 2023 by Tammy
Eragrostis curvula (African Lovegrass) at Aranda, ACT - 14 Sep 2023 by lbradley
Indigofera australis subsp. australis (Australian Indigo) at Aranda, ACT - 14 Sep 2023 by lbradley
Lasioglossum (Australictus) peraustrale (Halictid bee) at Cook, ACT - 11 May 2023 by Tammy
Cuphocera sp. (genus) (A bristle fly) at Cook, ACT - 11 May 2023 by Tammy
Mycena sp. (Mycena) at Cook, ACT - 6 May 2023 by Tammy
Leratiomcyes ceres (Red Woodchip Fungus) at Cook, ACT - 6 May 2023 by Tammy
Petroica rosea (Rose Robin) at Cook, ACT - 22 Apr 2023 by Tammy
Oudemansiella 'radicata group' (Rooting shank) at Cook, ACT - 18 Apr 2023 by Tammy
Trichosurus vulpecula (Common Brushtail Possum) at Cook, ACT - 28 Jan 2023 by Tammy
Diplacodes haematodes (Scarlet Percher) at Cook, ACT - 27 Jan 2023 by Tammy
Euryglossa sp. (genus) (A native bee) at Cook, ACT - 14 Jan 2023 by Tammy
Chlenias (genus) (A looper moth) at Cook, ACT - 13 Jan 2023 by Tammy
Pseudoanthidium (Immanthidium) repetitum (African carder bee, Megachild bee) at Cook, ACT - 13 Jan 2023 by Tammy
Pterygophorus cinctus (Bottlebrush sawfly) at Cook, ACT - 10 Jan 2023 by Tammy
Eudesmeola lawsoni (Lawson's Night Moth) at Cook, ACT - 9 Jan 2023 by Tammy
Lipotriches (Austronomia) phanerura (Halictid Bee) at Cook, ACT - 7 Jan 2023 by Tammy
Pentatomidae (family) (Shield or Stink bug) at Cook, ACT - 3 Jan 2023 by Tammy
Hemicordulia tau (Tau Emerald) at Cook, ACT - 25 Dec 2022 by Tammy
Epidesmia hypenaria (Long-nosed Epidesmia) at Cook, ACT - 15 Dec 2022 by Tammy
Adversaeschna brevistyla (Blue-spotted Hawker) at Cook, ACT - 11 Dec 2022 by Tammy
Austrolestes leda (Wandering Ringtail) at Cook, ACT - 10 Dec 2022 by Tammy
Capusa (genus) (Wedge moth) at Aranda, ACT - 29 Nov 2022 by Tammy
Araneus hamiltoni (Hamilton's Orb Weaver) at Cook, ACT - 29 Nov 2022 by Tammy
Diplacodes haematodes (Scarlet Percher) at Cook, ACT - 7 Nov 2022 by Tammy
Daphoenositta chrysoptera (Varied Sittella) at Cook, ACT - 12 Jun 2022 by Tammy
Eristalis tenax (Drone fly) at Cook, ACT - 20 May 2022 by Tammy
Lampropholis delicata (Delicate Skink) at Cook, ACT - 14 May 2022 by Tammy
Petroica rosea (Rose Robin) at Cook, ACT - 8 May 2022 by Tammy
Scopula optivata (Varied Wave) at Cook, ACT - 2 May 2022 by Tammy
Tapeigaster sp. (genus) (Fungus fly, Heteromyzid fly) at Cook, ACT - 24 Apr 2022 by Tammy
Rhipidura rufifrons (Rufous Fantail) at Cook, ACT - 6 Apr 2022 by Tammy
Ocybadistes walkeri (Green Grass-dart) at Cook, ACT - 23 Feb 2022 by Tammy
Ellipsidion australe (Austral Ellipsidion cockroach) at Cook, ACT - 13 Feb 2022 by Tammy
Opisthoncus abnormis (Long-legged Jumper) at Cook, ACT - 8 Feb 2022 by Tammy
Arsipoda chrysis (Flea beetle) at Cook, ACT - 8 Feb 2022 by Tammy
Badumna longinqua (Grey House Spider) at Cook, ACT - 8 Feb 2022 by Tammy
Lauxaniidae (family) (Unidentified lauxaniid fly) at Cook, ACT - 7 Feb 2022 by Tammy
Aulacophora hilaris (Pumpkin Beetle) at Cook, ACT - 1 Feb 2022 by Tammy
Aquila audax (Wedge-tailed Eagle) at Cook, ACT - 29 Jan 2022 by Tammy
Lampropholis delicata (Delicate Skink) at Cook, ACT - 24 Jan 2022 by Tammy
Araneinae (subfamily) (Orb weaver) at Cook, ACT - 23 Jan 2022 by Tammy
Mnesampela privata (Autumn Gum Moth) at Cook, ACT - 22 Jan 2022 by Tammy
Delias aganippe (Spotted Jezebel) at Cook, ACT - 21 Jan 2022 by Tammy
Passer domesticus (House Sparrow) at Cook, ACT - 21 Jan 2022 by Tammy
Megalorhipida leucodactyla (Spiderling Moth) at Cook, ACT - 19 Jan 2022 by Tammy
Leioproctus sp. (genus) (Plaster bee) at Cook, ACT - 13 Jan 2022 by Tammy
Pison sp. (genus) (Black mud-dauber wasp) at Cook, ACT - 12 Jan 2022 by Tammy
Servaea incana (Hoary Servaea) at Cook, ACT - 12 Jan 2022 by Tammy
Oxyopes sp. (genus) (Lynx spider) at Cook, ACT - 9 Jan 2022 by Tammy
Adversaeschna brevistyla (Blue-spotted Hawker) at Cook, ACT - 9 Jan 2022 by Tammy
Phaulacridium vittatum (Wingless Grasshopper) at Cook, ACT - 9 Jan 2022 by Tammy
Pterygophorus cinctus (Bottlebrush sawfly) at Cook, ACT - 9 Jan 2022 by Tammy
Neumichtis nigerrima (Black Turnip Moth) at Cook, ACT - 6 Jan 2022 by Tammy
Thyreus caeruleopunctatus (Chequered cuckoo bee) at Cook, ACT - 29 Dec 2021 by Tammy
Anisoptera (suborder) (Unidentified dragonfly) at Cook, ACT - 29 Dec 2021 by Tammy
Araneidae (family) (Orb weaver) at Cook, ACT - 28 Dec 2021 by Tammy
Orthetrum caledonicum (Blue Skimmer) at Cook, ACT - 28 Dec 2021 by Tammy
Leioproctus sp. (genus) (Plaster bee) at Cook, ACT - 28 Dec 2021 by Tammy
Megachile (Hackeriapis) rhodura (A Resin Bee) at Cook, ACT - 28 Dec 2021 by Tammy
Epidesmia hypenaria (Long-nosed Epidesmia) at Cook, ACT - 23 Dec 2021 by Tammy
Hemicordulia australiae (Australian Emerald) at Cook, ACT - 20 Dec 2021 by Tammy
Vanessa kershawi (Australian Painted Lady) at Cook, ACT - 19 Dec 2021 by Tammy
Lipotriches (Austronomia) phanerura (Halictid Bee) at Cook, ACT - 15 Dec 2021 by Tammy
Epiphyas postvittana (Light Brown Apple Moth) at Cook, ACT - 15 Dec 2021 by Tammy
Neosparassus calligaster (Beautiful Badge Huntsman) at Cook, ACT - 8 Dec 2021 by Tammy
Ocybadistes walkeri (Green Grass-dart) at Cook, ACT - 3 Dec 2021 by Tammy
Ecnolagria grandis (Honeybrown beetle) at Cook, ACT - 24 Nov 2021 by Tammy
Lasioglossum (Chilalictus) sp. (genus & subgenus) (Halictid bee) at Cook, ACT - 17 Nov 2021 by Tammy
Vanessa kershawi (Australian Painted Lady) at Cook, ACT - 7 Nov 2021 by Tammy
Austrolestes leda (Wandering Ringtail) at Cook, ACT - 6 Nov 2021 by Tammy
Exoneura sp. (genus) (A reed bee) at Cook, ACT - 3 Nov 2021 by Tammy
Eleale simplex (Clerid beetle) at Cook, ACT - 3 Nov 2021 by Tammy
Halone sinuata (Rock Lichen Moth) at Cook, ACT - 3 Nov 2021 by Tammy
Chlenias (genus) (A looper moth) at Cook, ACT - 2 Nov 2021 by Tammy
Hemicordulia tau (Tau Emerald) at Cook, ACT - 30 Oct 2021 by Tammy
Scutiphora pedicellata (Metallic Jewel Bug) at Cook, ACT - 26 Oct 2021 by Tammy
Dindymus versicolor (Harlequin Bug) at Cook, ACT - 26 Oct 2021 by Tammy
Lasioglossum (Chilalictus) sp. (genus & subgenus) (Halictid bee) at Cook, ACT - 26 Oct 2021 by Tammy
Jotus sp. (genus) (Unidentified Jotus Jumping Spider) at Cook, ACT - 18 Oct 2021 by Tammy
Chlenias banksiaria group (A Geometer moth) at Cook, ACT - 16 Oct 2021 by Tammy
Lampropholis delicata (Delicate Skink) at Cook, ACT - 24 Sep 2021 by Tammy
Ichneumonidae (family) (Unidentified ichneumon wasp) at Cook, ACT - 17 Sep 2021 by Tammy
Hypoblemum sp. (genus) (Unidentified Hypoblemum jumping spider) at Cook, ACT - 17 Sep 2021 by Tammy
Stomorhina sp. (genus) (Snout fly) at Cook, ACT - 12 Sep 2021 by Tammy
Calliphora augur (Lesser brown or Blue-bodied blowfly) at Cook, ACT - 12 Sep 2021 by Tammy
Dacelo novaeguineae (Laughing Kookaburra) at Cook, ACT - 5 Sep 2021 by Tammy
Maratus griseus (Jumping spider) at Cook, ACT - 2 Sep 2021 by Tammy
Lasioglossum (Chilalictus) sp. (genus & subgenus) (Halictid bee) at Cook, ACT - 2 Sep 2021 by Tammy

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Location information

Sighting information

  • 1 Abundance
  • 15 Sep 2020 12:17 PM Recorded on
  • Tammy Recorded by

Species information

  • Laetiporus portentosus Scientific name
  • White Punk Common name
  • Not Sensitive
  • Local native
  • Non-Invasive
  • Up to 995m Recorded at altitude
  • Machine learning
  • External link More information
  • Synonyms

    Piptoporus eucalyptorum (Fr.) Warcup, Ecology Forests Woodlands South Australia: 131 (1986) Piptoporus portentosus (Berk.) G. Cunn., Bull. N.Z. Dept. Sci. Industr. Res., Pl. Dis. Div. 164: 106 (1965) Piptoporus eucalyptorum Piptoporus portentosus
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