vs Fly Agaric

Euglena deses compared with Amanita muscaria

Key Differences

is Not Evaluated while Fly Agaric is Least Concern.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank		Fly Agaric
Kingdom	Protozoa (protozoa)	Fungi (Fungi)
Phylum	Euglenozoa (Euglenozoa)	Basidiomycota (Club Fungi)
Class	Euglenoidea (Euglenoidea)	Agaricomycetes (Mushrooms)
Order	Euglenida (Euglenida)	Agaricales (Gilled Mushrooms)
Family	Euglenaceae	Agaricaceae (Agarics)
Genus	Euglena	Amanita (Amanitas)
Species	Euglena deses	Amanita muscaria

Conservation Status

NE — Not Evaluated

Fly Agaric

LC — Least Concern

Trend: Stable →

Physical Characteristics

Attribute		Fly Agaric
Diet	—	Decomposer
Average Lifespan	—	1 years
Average Length	—	20 cm
Average Weight	—	100 g

Habitat & Geographic Range

Habitat

Native to Asia and Europe and South America, inhabiting ecosystems characteristic of the region.

Range

Distributed across Brazil, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and Taiwan.

Fly Agaric

Habitat

Typically found in forest floors, decomposing wood, and soil ecosystems.

Range

Widely distributed across Europe (4 countries), North America (United States), Oceania and the Pacific (New Zealand), and South America (Brazil, Chile, Colombia).

Euglena deses is a photosynthetic euglenoid flagellate in the family Euglenaceae, distinguished by its elongate to cylindrical cell body that undergoes pronounced euglenoid movement (metaboly). It inhabits nutrient-rich freshwater habitats, including puddles, ditches, and the surface of damp soil, often forming green biofilms. Its single emergent flagellum propels it toward light to optimize photosynthesis.

Fly Agaric

Among the most iconic and recognizable fungi on Earth, fly agaric mushrooms display striking red caps with white flecked warts across boreal forests of the Northern Hemisphere. Despite their fairy-tale appearance, they contain potent psychoactive compounds including muscimol and ibotenic acid and are moderately toxic. They form critical mycorrhizal symbioses with birch, pine, and spruce trees, exchanging mineral nutrients for carbon and playing essential roles in boreal forest nutrient cycling.