Discovered in Egypt in 1960, the species was first described as Cephalosporium maydis (Samra, Sabet and Hingoran.

One reason for this is likely the similarities between H. maydis and other Cephalosporium species such as C. acremonium[1] In 2000, Walter Gams created the genus Harpophora for a number of species in Cephalosporium that are morphologically phialophora-like, based upon Harpophora radiciola.

[1] H. maydis was initially discovered in Egypt in 1960 and has since been reported in approximately 10 other states.

The species is widespread on the Indian subcontinent, present in India, Pakistan, and Nepal.

Its presence has been especially problematic in Israel since the early 2010s, where especially aggressive strains have been found.