Clubs/stalks on invertebrates

This specimen has a shorter, fertile black top than you usually see. The combination of the black top and the little bit of khaki/olive stem that you see close to the ground point me to the species.

Dreichmeria gunnii , vegetable caterpillar

Yes, very common at Bango NR last autumn and new to me at the time. For more info on their biology see my article in ANPS journal Vol 21 No 3 PP 34-37 September 2022

Thanks for this description of the process Roger, Heino.

Correct Heino, the mycelium is confined to the larva that is originally infected by swallowing a Dreichmeria spore on the vegetation when it comes to the surface to feed at night