Rhopalomyces elegans

These are young heads and are not immediately recognizeable as Rhopalomyces.  At maturity the spores on the swollen vesicle become large, football-shaped (American  or rugby football!) and rich red-brown.   When they germinate,  the large spores produce an extensive system of very fine hyphae (1-2 microns in diameter) through the organic substrate. Rhopalomyces elegans is a parasite and specializes in attacking the eggs of nematodes for food.  It is probably attracted to the eggs by hormonal secretions.  The fungus forms a swollen appressorium on the surface of the egg and then penetrates the 'shell' to exploit the rich food source inside.