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Mold spores under the Microscope - a Photo ID Library for detection and identification of toxic or other mold InspectAPedia®  -     Microscopic mold - what mold looks like up-close Micro photographs of mold through the microscope Links to photos of stuff that is mold and other stuff that is not mold

What does mold look like? These mold spores and their photographs (both on site and under the microscope) have been collected in the U.S., Spain, Mexico, France, as well as in other countries where I've studied bioaerosols. These are aerobiology laboratory photos of mold under the microscope. Also see MOLD APPEARANCE - WHAT MOLD LOOKS LIKE (mold in-situ in buildings), MOLD APPEARANCE - STUFF THAT IS NOT MOLD, and for a discussion of the characteristics and health concerns for specific molds, see MOLD ATLAS & PARTICLES INDEX. For help in organizing field and laboratory photographs of mold, particles, or anything else, see Building and Organizing a Digital Photo Library on a computer.

Nearly all of our mold spore photographs shown at this mold spore identification assistance page are from field samples collected in buildings. What makes these photographs helpful is that they are "real world" examples of mold spore occurrence, including the surrounding debris and sometimes rough growth patterns of mold spores that occur in situ in buildings. Mold grown in the laboratory or on cultures is often very crisp, beautiful, and perhaps more easy to identify. But the actual physical structures of mold growth for a given genera and species may vary significantly depending on the material on which the mold is growing - its food. Photographs of mold spores under the microscope shown here are in that sense, more "natural" than those obtained from culture.

The photo at page top shows Stachybotrys chartarum mold spores under the microscope, and next to them is a photo of the Stachybotrys spore-producing structure or conidiophore. Other photographs and articles at this website will help you find and recognize problematic toxic or allergenic mold in buildings.

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MOLD BY MICROSCOPE - What mold looks like under the light microscope

Mold spore photographs are arranged alphabetically here. For example, if you are looking for what Stachybotrys chartarum spores and growth structures or conidiophores look like under the microscope, just scroll down to the "S" section of our identification photographs of mold under the microscope.

Acremonium like Mold Spore Photographs

Agrocybe sp. mold spore photographs Photograph of an Agrocybe spore (see Basidiomycetes). Individual Agrocybe spores are common in outdoor air samples collected with spore traps.

Alternaria sp. mold spore photographs

Alternaria mold spores are very common in outdoor air and are likely to be found in outdoor air samples and are often found in indoor air samples as well. The photograph of Alternaria spores in a cluster (above left) shows these spores with their proper coloration. The Alternaria sp. photograph at above right demonstrates the confusion in spore coloration and thus in spore identification that can occur when a novice microscopist relies too heavily on fuchsin stains for spore detection.

Aspergillus sp. mold spore photographs

Photographs of Aspergillus sp. mold spores under the microscope Aspergillus niger culture, Penicillium culture, Penicillium spores - Aspergillus and Penicillium spores are difficult to differentiate when they are found in air that you may see them reported in test results as "Pen/Asp". Some airborne spores in this group can be identified from the spore alone, however, such as Aspergillus niger

Here is one of our lab photographs of dense surface growth of Aspergillis niger and Aspergillus fumigatus side by side, in the same surface sample, but not quite intermixed.

Aureobasidium pullulans

We find lots of the fungus spores shown above, Aureobasidium pullulans, a black yeast fungus, growing on wet or damp wood in buildings, especially on plywood roof sheathing in poorly-vented building attics. This yeast-like fungus is also often found on caulk or damp window frames in bathrooms. Aureobasidium may be pink or black in color. More detail is at MOLD ATLAS & PARTICLES INDEX. And we discuss this mold further at Recognize Harmless Black Mold.

Biolaris-Drechslera sp. mold spore photographs

Lab microscopic photographs of an Bipolaris-Drechslera spores:. Individual Agrocybe spores are common in outdoor air samples collected with spore traps.

Ceratocystis/Ophistoma - the Ophistomoid Cosmetic Black Sapstain or Bluestain Molds on Lumber

Laboratory microscopic photographs of Ceratocystis/Ophistoma type mold are a bit tricky in surface samples such as collected from moldy lumber, because usually this mold is dry, often encysted, and because it is not likely to be growing on an indoor surface, the sample may lack clear identifying particles or structures.

Here at above right we show a sketch of the perithecium, ascospores, and conidia of Endoconodiphora coerulescens from the July-August 1953 issue of Mycologia Vol XLV No. 4.

Our photograph at above left shows a fungus found under a basement stairwell that we classified as Ceratocystis/Ophistoma, and in this photograph you can see an enlarged closup of mold fragments from that sample.

We discuss the cosmetic Ceratocystis/Ophistoma mold group in detail at Recognize Harmless Black Mold.

Chaetomium sp. mold spore photographs

Lab microscopic photographs of an Chaetomium spores: Chaetomium sp. (C. globosum, C. aureum, and others) are very common indoor molds found especially where drywall or other paper covered products have been wet. Where Chaetomium mold growth has been found indoors in spore clusters like this it is probably appropriate to investigate the building leak history and to remain alert for the presence of other indoor mold reservoirs.

Cladosporium sp. mold spore photographs

Microscope photographs of Cladosporium sp.: Cladosporium sp. are the most common mold spore found in outdoor air in many areas, so common in fact that Cladosporium is called "the king of molds". The photograph ofCladosporium sp. spores in a cluster (above left) shows these spores with their proper coloration. The Cladosporium sp. photograph at above right demonstrates the confusion in spore coloration and thus in spore identification that can occur when a novice microscopist relies too heavily on fuchsin stains for spore detection. However both photographs show the characteristic dark scars at the attachment point for these mold spores. Our photograph at left shows the dominant spherical spores produced by Cladosporium sphaerospermum - another common indoor and attic/roof-sheathing mold.

Curvularia sp. mold spore photographs

Curvularia mold spores at above left may not be looking their best in this field photo but this is what you're likely to see at the microscope. The Curvularia sp. at above right was in better condition, showing its attachment scar as well.

Drechslera sp. mold spore photographs

Microscope photographs of Drechslera sp. fungal spores - under the microscope Drechslera and Bipolaris mold spores are both large, segmented spores such as the member shown here, and may require additional careful examination to differentiate the two.

Epicoccum sp. mold spore photographs

Microscope photographs of Epicoccum sp. (E. niger)fungal spores under the microscope are large, segmented spores such as the member shown here.

Fuglio septica mold & mold spore spore photographs

Fuglio septica is shown under the stereoscopic microscope (less than 100x) at above left, while Fuglio septica mold spores are shown at above right. This fungus is affectionately called "dog vomit mold" by some field investigators as when found growing outdoors on bark chips that's about what it looks like. We do not normally find this mold growing indoors.

Ganoderma sp. mold spore photographs

Microscope photographs of Ganoderma basidiospores such as G. applanatum & G. tsuge dominated the air at a recent fungal spore study workshop sponsored by the University of Montreal. Here is where they were coming from.

Gonadobotryum mold spore microphotographs

Here are microscopoic photographs of Gonadobotryum sp. mold collected during a building investigation. We often find Gonadobotryum sp. mold growth present as a parasite, growing on top of other fungi, especially in the Ceratocystis/Ophistoma group on framing lumber. The presence of Gonadobotryum sp. mold on framing lumber is probably not a health concern; it has not been reported as producing mycotoxins but we would not rule out its possible role as an allergen.

Meruliporia Incrassata - "Poria" "House Eating Fungus" Mold Microphotographs

Nigrospora sp. mold spore photographs

Nigrospora sp. mold spores are often round, smooth, and black under the microscope. It is useful to check out black round "spores" under the microscope using top lighting in order to distinguish them from paint droplets where paint has been sprayed in the building. If the round spherical objects are all smooth but their size varies, or if toplighting shows that the "spores" are white or some other color, you're probably looking at spray paint droplets, not Nigrospora sp. mold spores.

Oidium (Mildew) sp. mold spore photographs

Oidium sp. is one of the most common appearances of the sub-group of molds in the mildew family. This mold is often found in outdoor air. We do not normally find mildew growing on any indoor surface in buildings because the mildews are obligate parasites - growing only on living plants. These spores are easy to identfy by their color (none or hyaline), and their shape as well as their cellular inclusions or surface decorations visible in any sharply focused microscope at 400x or higher.

Penicillium sp. mold spore photographs

Penicillium sp. mold spores are very easy to identify when their spore producing conidiophores are collected in a surface sample (photograph at left). But individual Penicillium sp. spores found in air or dust samples are difficult to distinguish (visually) from many Aspergillus spores as well as some other genera/species including some mold spores from a very different group, the Basidiomycetes. A lab report of the presence of Amerospores (a generic name for unidentified small round colorless unfeatured spores) should not be assumed to have detected Penicillium sp.

Periconia sp. mold spore photographs

Periconia sp. mold spores are common at low levels in both indoor and outdoor air and dust samples.

Puffball mold spore photographs

Puffball mold spores (Basidiomycetes) are common in outdoor air samples in some seasons. The spores are erasily distinguished by their little hyphal stem attachments making them look a lot like tiny balloons. If you ever stomped on those brown dried fungal clumps (when you were a kid), sending clouds of brown dust into the air, these photos show what you were sending aloft. Nativew americans used puffball spores for medicinal purposes as well, possibly as a clotting agent on wounds.

Smut spore photographs

Smut spores common in outdoor air samples, would be unusual indoors.

Stachybotrys sp. / Stachybotrys chartarum black mold spore photographs

Stachybotrys sp. "black mold" spore photographs under the microscope as well as on building surfaces are provided here. on a wall, Stachybotrys structure, Stachybotrys spores (with basidiospores (?)), Stachybotrys culture has been identified (and then later questioned) as a cause of and pulmonary hemorrhage and hemosiderosis in infants. (http://gcrc.meds.cwru.edu/stachy/default.htm) While this mold has received recent media attention, many molds occur naturally outdoors and indoors. Some other more common mold spores such as Penicillium and Aspergillus (see above) may cause illness or may be associated or aggravate with some types of asthma. Stachybotrys mold, in another form, Memnoniella echinata we've found to be particularly reactive even in small quantities. When found on building surfaces it should be removed.

Stemonitis mold & mold spore photographs

Stemonitis mold & photographs of stemonitis mold spores common growing indoors on wet oriented strand board.

Torula sp. mold spore micro-photographs

Torula sp. fungal spores are shown in this lab photograph taken through the microscope, probably Torula herbarum. We often encounter this mold on wet moldy or rotted plywood subfloors in buildings.

Ulocladium mold spore micro-photographs

Ulocladium chartarum spores

We have almost 900,000 photomicrographs of mold spores and pollen grains - more are coming to this website. If you need to see a specific image, contact us.

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Online Mold & Particle Identification Aids at InspectAPedia.com

• MOLD ATLAS & PARTICLES INDEX, Pathogens, Allergens and Other Indoor Particles - Medical Health Effects of Mold (separate online document)
• MOLD APPEARANCE - WHAT MOLD LOOKS LIKE Photos of what mold looks like in buildings
• MOLD APPEARANCE - STUFF THAT IS NOT MOLD Photos of NOT-mold material that is sometimes mistaken for mold
• Recognize Harmless Black Mold Photos of of often recogniziable, usually harmless black mold on wood
• MOLD BY MICROSCOPE Mold under the microscope - photo identification of the most common indoor molds found in buildings
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More Information on Building Diagnostic Inspections and Repairs

• Looking for Mold Procedure: what mold is often found where in buildings - simple technical presentation
• How to Look For Mold, List of Articles: Hiring a Mold or IAQ Consultant, Getting a Remediation Plan
• Mold spores in the Home - a Photo ID Library for detection and identification of mold allergens
• Recognizing Allergens: What various indoor allergens look like - identification photos to help identify pollen, dust mites, animal dander, toxic or allergenic mold - Common Mold and other Allergens, Irritants, Remedies & Advice
• Stuff that is not mold but is often mistaken for it - things you may not want to test. Also, not all "black mold" is toxic - here are examples of harmless black mold.
• Allergens: what they look like in buildings
• Animal Allergens: Dog, Cat, and Other Animal Dander - Cleanup & Prevention Information for Asthmatics and regarding Indoor Air Quality.
• Mold in Fiberglass Insulation© 2005 comments about a field study in process, & more about health hazards from fiberglass insulation - DJF
• Mold Investigation Tips for Home Inspectors how to find mold, where to look, what is likely to be important. Advice to building inspectors intending to inspect or test for toxic or problematic mold indoors, mold inspection methods, and mold test methods which are valid or invalid
• Mold Test Kits - How to Collect and Send Your Own Mold Sample to our mold testing lab
• Meruliporia: the house eating fungus or "poria"
• Mold Central: indoor air quality investigation case histories, key links what to do about mold and indoor allergens - our Fear of Mold "Mycophobia" WebLog-Blog.
• Ozone Warnings - Use of Ozone as a "mold" remedy is ineffective and may be dangerous.
• Rot concerns in buildings-some building mold such as Meruliporia incrassata "Poria" risks serious rot and hidden structural damage
• Frequently Asked Questions About Mold -- check this FAQ list & IAQ Site Map to see if you can find a quick answer to your mold concern

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