Original paper

Entomophthorales and their parasitism of insects

Wolf, Frederick T.

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Nova Hedwigia Band 46 Heft 1-2 (1988), p. 121 - 142

167 references

published: Mar 4, 1988

DOI: 10.1127/nova.hedwigia/46/1988/121

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ArtNo. ESP050004601004, Price: 29.00 €

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Abstract

Among the fungi of the order Entomophthorales which parasitize insects, several genera are now recognized, and new species continue to be described. At least 37 species have been cultured on laboratory media, while others have resisted repeated efforts at cultivation. In addition to the production of conidia and resting spores, a few species have been shown to produce naked protoplasts. Conidiobolus obscurus, the most thoroughly studied species, has been examined nutritionally, environmentally, biochemically, enzymatically, immunologically and ultrastructurally. The insect hosts of these fungi include representatives of the Coleoptera, Diptera, Heteroptera, Homoptera, Hymenoptera, Lepidoptera and Orthoptera. Aphids are the insect group attacked by the greatest number of pathogens. Data continue to accumulate concerning the geographic distribution of these entomopathogenic fungi, and numerous epizootics among insect species injurious to crop plants have been recorded. Effective biological control of insects by means of entomophthoraceous fungi has not yet been achieved. Two species, Conidiobolus incongruus and C. coronatus, are pathogenic to man.

Keywords

fungi • genera • species • laboratory media • conidia • protoplasts • pathogenic • cultivation