h, portion of hymenium showing the longitudinally interwoven hyphal ends or paraphyses and some probasidia; b, three spore-bearing organs; s, spores.

[6] Fruiting bodies form a crust (resupinate) and range in color and size, from small patches (1 mm in diameter) to 2 meters wide.

[2] Septobasidium is unique in that it is one of a few genera within the family Septobasidaceae that exists in symbiotic relationships with scale insects ranging from obligately parasitic to mutualistic.

[4] He suggested that at a population level, scale insects benefit from certain species of Septobasidium that provide protection from predators, and prevent desiccation.

[4] During the spring months, basidia gives rise to sexual spores known as basidiospores that are capable of infecting a first instar scale insect walking across the surface of the fruiting body.

[4] The life cycle completes itself when hyphae gives rise to new basidiospores on the surface of the mycelial mat during spring rain events, and infects the next generation of scale insects.