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A new species from the genus Strongwellsea (Entomophthorales: Entomophthoraceae) is described: Strongwellsea crypta Eilenberg & Humber from adult Botanophila fugax (Meigen) (Diptera: Anthomyiidae). The description is based on... more
A new species from the genus Strongwellsea (Entomophthorales: Entomophthoraceae) is described: Strongwellsea crypta Eilenberg & Humber from adult Botanophila fugax (Meigen) (Diptera: Anthomyiidae). The description is based on pathobiological, phenotypical and genotypical characters. The abdominal holes in infected hosts develop rapidly and become strikingly large and edgy, almost rhomboid in shape. The new species S. crypta differs from S. castrans, the only described species infecting flies from Anthomyiidae, by: a) naturally infecting another host species, b) by having significantly longer primary conidia, and c) by genotypical clustering separately from that species when sequencing ITS2.
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The genus Neozygites has been known in Brazil until now only on mites, and this is its first report on aphids in Brazil. Tree-dwelling aphids (Cinara sp.) on a cypress tree were regularly monitored for entomopathogenic fungi in the city... more
The genus Neozygites has been known in Brazil until now only on mites, and this is its first report on aphids in Brazil. Tree-dwelling aphids (Cinara sp.) on a cypress tree were regularly monitored for entomopathogenic fungi in the city of Terezópolis de Goiás in Central Brazil between July 2014 and April 2015. During the survey, mycosed aphids were found attached to twigs. The fungus was identified morphologically as Neozygites osornensis. No in vitro cultures were established from infected aphids. The finding reported here suggests that special attention should be paid in the future for the possible occurrences of Neozygites species wherever cinaran aphids occur around the globe.
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The susceptibility of 1st to 4th instars of Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius, 1989) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) to three isolates of Cordyceps sp. (Hypocreales: Cordycipitaceae) was evaluated in screenhouse experiments under variable temperatures... more
The susceptibility of 1st to 4th instars of Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius, 1989) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) to three isolates of Cordyceps sp. (Hypocreales: Cordycipitaceae) was evaluated in screenhouse experiments under variable temperatures and moisture conditions. No differences in susceptibility to the Cordyceps sp. isolates were observed among 1st, 2nd, and 3rd instar nymphs with respect to median lethal time (LT 50 ) values. Confirmed mortalities ranged from 63.7 to 87.8% when the isolates were tested at 5 × 10 7 conidia mL −1 . The 4th instar was the least susceptible to the fungal isolates (≤ 36.6% mortality). However, 60.0 to 99.5% of the adults that emerged from 4th instar nymphs previously treated with the fungus succumbed to the infection. Temperature was more detrimental to Cordyceps sp. virulence towards B. tabaci nymphs than relative humidity (RH). At similar RH, median LT 50 for 1st instar (9.4 days) was higher than for 3rd instar (5.3 days) when the fungus was tested at 5 × 10 7 conidia mL −1 ; minimal temperatures of ≥ 12.6°C compared to ≥ 17.0°C were registered for experiments with 1st and 3rd instars, respectively. However, temperatures ≥ 35°C for 4 to 6 h daily did not affect the efficacy of the fungus against nymphs. Cordyceps sp. showed high virulence to all life stages of B. tabaci at relatively low RH, and an ability to grow extensively over the leaf surface and to produce high amounts of conidia on infected hosts. These attributes certainly boost its potential as an important pest control component of B. tabaci biotype B, especially for management of populations resistant to synthetic insecticides.
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Conidium germination and differentiation of Zoophthora radicans on water agar were investigated to identify requirements for the production of appressoria, the structures needed for virulence. Appressorium formation was more sensitive to... more
Conidium germination and differentiation of Zoophthora radicans on water agar were investigated to identify requirements for the production of appressoria, the structures needed for virulence. Appressorium formation was more sensitive to environmental and nutritional changes than was conidium germination. Temperature affected both formation of germ tubes and appressoria, and the best temperature–nutrient interaction was found for appressorium formation at 25–30°C and 1% yeast extract. At 15°C, conidium germination was depressed independent of the nutrient concentration, and appressoria did not form. The volume of liquid overlaying the conidia and the yeast extract concentration individually affected appressorium formation. The best interaction between the volume of liquid and yeast extract concentration was the combination of a large volume of liquid medium (3 ml/962 mm2 surface area) and 1% yeast extract. Of the 12 nitrogen sources tested, the best for germination and appressorium formation were yeast extract and Bacto-Soytone. Glucose, maltose, and starch were the best of the 12 carbon sources tested. Increasing osmotic pressure caused by different concentrations of maltose and polyethylene glycol adversely affected formation of germ tubes and appressoria. Subculturing did not affect formation of germ tubes, but the frequency of appressorium formation decreased after 12 transfers. The best pH for appressorium formation was between 7.0 and 7.2. Z. radicans produced appressoria on cuticles of dead Empoasca fabae (Harris) nymphs at 25°C in the dark.
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The exotic bagrada bug or painted bug, Bagrada hilaris, and the native potato/tomato psyllid, Bactericera (=Paratrioza) cockerelli, are key pests of horticulture in western North America. In 2014-2015, adult and juvenile B. hilaris and B.... more
The exotic bagrada bug or painted bug, Bagrada hilaris, and the native potato/tomato psyllid, Bactericera (=Paratrioza) cockerelli, are key pests of horticulture in western North America. In 2014-2015, adult and juvenile B. hilaris and B. cockerelli killed by fungi in the genus Zoophthora were detected near Saltillo, northeastern Mexico. We report the field prevalence and observations of Zoophthora on these hosts. The morphology and growth characteristics of field-collected specimens and pure in vitro cultures, as well as molecular markers (ITS1 and ITS4) were analyzed to identify these Zoophthora populations. Although there were morphological spore differences detected among field collections from both insect hosts, the fungi causing these mycoses can be identified as the same species (Zoophthora radicans), according to morphometric data from in vitro cultures (where differences observed in field material were attenuated) and sequence data (96-99% identity for ITS1 and 4). These results underscore the plasticity of field collections and in vitro cultures, and the relevance of comprehensive morphological and molecular analysis from cultures under standard conditions. Dose-response bioassays were conducted with one Z. radicans strain against bagrada bug nymphs. Exposure to conidial showers from cultures induced 30-90% mortality. This is the first report of a natural enemy of bagrada bug in Mexico, and the first published report of entomophthoralean fungi naturally attacking bagrada bugs and potato psyllids. Z. radicans should be further investigated as a tool in the biological control of hemipterans.
Research Interests: Botany, Zoology, Biology, Medicine, Invertebrate Pathology, and 3 moreHemiptera, Nymph, and Pentatomidae
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Ophiocordycipitaceae is a diverse family comprising ecologically, economically, medicinally, and culturally important fungi. The family was recognized due to the polyphyly of the genus Cordyceps and the broad diversity of the mostly... more
Ophiocordycipitaceae is a diverse family comprising ecologically, economically, medicinally, and culturally important fungi. The family was recognized due to the polyphyly of the genus Cordyceps and the broad diversity of the mostly arthropod-pathogenic lineages of Hypocreales. The other two cordyceps-like families, Cordycipitaceae and Clavicipitaceae, will be revised taxonomically elsewhere. Historically, many species were placed in Cordyceps, but other genera have been described in this family as well, including several based on anamorphic features. Currently there are 24 generic names in use across both asexual and sexual life stages for species of Ophiocordycipitaceae. To reflect changes in Art. 59 in the International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants (ICN), we propose to protect and to suppress names within Ophiocordycipitaceae, and to present taxonomic revisions in the genus Tolypocladium, based on rigorous and extensively sampled molecular phylogenetic analyses. When approaching this task, we considered the principles of priority, monophyly, minimizing taxonomic revisions, and the practical utility of these fungi within the wider biological research community.
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An epizootic caused by Furia virescens (Thaxter) Humber (Zygomycetes: Entomophthorales) was studied in a population of armyworms, Pseudaletia unipuncta (Haworth), in a tall fescue, Festuca arundinacea Schreber (Poaceae), pasture in... more
An epizootic caused by Furia virescens (Thaxter) Humber (Zygomycetes: Entomophthorales) was studied in a population of armyworms, Pseudaletia unipuncta (Haworth), in a tall fescue, Festuca arundinacea Schreber (Poaceae), pasture in Arkansas. Prevalence rates in live larvae collected from the field were 21.6, 8.1 and 13.5% for F. virescens, the braconid parasitoid Glyptapanteles militaris (Walsh), and an unidentified mermithid nematode, respectively. In a laboratory trial one Heliothis virescens (F.) larva was infected by F. virescens. Previously unrecorded aspects of the morphology and life cycle of F. virescens are described. Pseudaletia unipuncta and H. virescens are new host records for F. virescens.
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... Entomophthora chromaphidis (Entomophthorales) : the correct identification of an aphid pathogen in the Pacific Northwest and elsewhere. Auteur(s) / Author(s). HUMBER RA ; MING-GUANG FENG ; Affiliation(s) du ou des auteurs / Author(s)... more
... Entomophthora chromaphidis (Entomophthorales) : the correct identification of an aphid pathogen in the Pacific Northwest and elsewhere. Auteur(s) / Author(s). HUMBER RA ; MING-GUANG FENG ; Affiliation(s) du ou des auteurs / Author(s) Affiliation(s). ARS plant protection res. ...
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Research Interests: Microbiology, Plant Biology, Biology, Fungi, Systematics, and 10 moreMedicine, Female, Animals, Male, Fungal Spores, Genus, Mycologia, Diptera, Spore, and Anthomyiidae
Research Interests: Botany, Microbiology, Plant Biology, Biology, Fusarium, and 3 moreMycologia, Lymantria Dispar, and Gypsy Moth
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Research Interests: Microbiology, Parasitology, Medical Microbiology, Biology, Medicine, and 15 moreVirulence, Female, Animals, Ciencias veterinarias, Ciencias Biológicas, Germination, Thermotolerance, Veterinary Sciences, Metarhizium Anisopliae, Biological Pest Control, Entomopathogenic Fungi, Tick control, Metarhizium, Ciencias Agrícolas, and Rhipicephalus sanguineus
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This study investigated the use of bee drones as a host for the production of the fruiting body of Cordyceps militaris. This fungus demonstrated higher mycelial growth on MYPGP and YpSS media compare to CDA, MCM, PDA, SNA, and YMA.... more
This study investigated the use of bee drones as a host for the production of the fruiting body of Cordyceps militaris. This fungus demonstrated higher mycelial growth on MYPGP and YpSS media compare to CDA, MCM, PDA, SNA, and YMA. Isolates 6 and 7 achieved full mycelial growth after 21 days with a colony diameter of 85 ㎜ on MYPGP medium. For all isolates, mycelial growth had the highest withfructose among monosacharrides, lactose among disacharrides, and soluble starch among polysacharrides. Two isolates produced normal fruiting bodies of C. militaris colored orange or vermilion on bee drone medium. Fruiting bodies were well induced and produced under light conditions.
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Conidiobolus antarcticus sp. nov. (Entomoplithorales: Ancylistaceae), was isolated from the antarctic mosses Scistidium antarctici and Hennediella heimii. It is the first record of an Entomophthorales species in continental Antarctica.... more
Conidiobolus antarcticus sp. nov. (Entomoplithorales: Ancylistaceae), was isolated from the antarctic mosses Scistidium antarctici and Hennediella heimii. It is the first record of an Entomophthorales species in continental Antarctica. This new fungus is distinguished from other species of the same genus in the size and shape of the primary conidia and zygospores, and in the disjunctive mycelial hyphae.
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The impact of ambient relative humidity (RH) on conidial production of Metarhizium humberi IP 46 microsclerotia (MS) formulated in pellets or granules was investigated, and a promising granular formulation was tested against Aedes aegypti... more
The impact of ambient relative humidity (RH) on conidial production of Metarhizium humberi IP 46 microsclerotia (MS) formulated in pellets or granules was investigated, and a promising granular formulation was tested against Aedes aegypti adults to confirm its efficacy. Microcrystalline cellulose (MC) and diatomaceous earth (DE) or a combination of vermiculite (VE), DE and silicon dioxide (SD) were tested as carriers in granular formulations containing MS. A range of 93-96.5% RH was critical for fungal development, and at least 96.5-98.5% RH was required for high conidial production on pellets or granules. Conidial production was clearly higher on pellets and granules prepared with VE than MC as the main carrier. VE granules containing MS were highly active against A. aegypti adults. Most mosquitoes were killed within 6 days after treatment regardless of the exposure time of adults to the formulation (1 min-24 h) or ambient humidity (75 or >98%). Production of conidia on dead adults varied between 7.3 × 106 and 2.2 × 107 conidia/individual, when exposed to MS granules for 12 h and 1 min, respectively. Granular formulations containing VE as the main carrier and MS as the active ingredient of M. humberi have strong potential for use against A. aegypti. KEY POINTS: • High conidial production on granular microsclerotial formulations at >96.5% RH • Vermiculite is more appropriate as a carrier than microcrystalline cellulose • Granules with IP 46 microsclerotia are highly active against Aedes aegypti adults.
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Notes for genera: basal clades of Fungi (including Aphelidiomycota, Basidiobolomycota, Blastocladiomycota, Calcarisporiellomycota, Caulochytriomycota, Chytridiomycota, Entomophthoromycota, Glomeromycota, Kickxellomycota, Monoblepharomycota, Mortierellomycota, Mucoromycota, Neocallimastigomycota, ...more
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The phototropic responses of Conidiobolus coronatus (Cost.) Batko have been investigated with an emphasis on the responses of the secondary conidiophore. The effects of pH, nutrients, and osmotic p...
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Entomopathogenic fungi routinely kill their hosts before releasing infectious spores, but select species keep insects alive while sporulating, which enhances dispersal. Transcriptomics and metabolomics studies of entomopathogens with... more
Entomopathogenic fungi routinely kill their hosts before releasing infectious spores, but select species keep insects alive while sporulating, which enhances dispersal. Transcriptomics and metabolomics studies of entomopathogens with post-mortem dissemination from their parasitized hosts have unraveled infection processes and host responses, yet mechanisms underlying active spore transmission by Entomophthoralean fungi in living insects remain elusive. Here we report the discovery, through metabolomics, of the plant-associated amphetamine, cathinone, in four Massospora cicadina-infected periodical cicada populations, and the mushroom-associated tryptamine, psilocybin, in annual cicadas infected with Massospora platypediae or Massospora levispora, which appear to represent a single fungal species. The absence of some fungal enzymes necessary for cathinone and psilocybin biosynthesis along with the inability to detect intermediate metabolites or gene orthologs are consistent with poss...
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Research Interests: Microbiology, Parasitology, Medical Microbiology, Biology, Medicine, and 14 moreVirulence, Female, Animals, Ciencias veterinarias, Ciencias Biológicas, Thermotolerance, Veterinary Sciences, Metarhizium Anisopliae, Enseñanza - Aprendizaje Ciencias Naturales Y Exactas, Entomopathogenic Fungi, Tick control, Metarhizium, Ciencias Agrícolas, and Rhipicephalus sanguineus
Research Interests: Biocontrol and Mycologia
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This study investigated the use of bee drones as a host for the production of the fruiting body of Cordyceps militaris. This fungus demonstrated higher mycelial growth on MYPGP and YpSS media compare to CDA, MCM, PDA, SNA, and YMA.... more
This study investigated the use of bee drones as a host for the production of the fruiting body of Cordyceps militaris. This fungus demonstrated higher mycelial growth on MYPGP and YpSS media compare to CDA, MCM, PDA, SNA, and YMA. Isolates 6 and 7 achieved full mycelial growth after 21 days with a colony diameter of 85 ㎜ on MYPGP medium. For all isolates, mycelial growth had the highest withfructose among monosacharrides, lactose among disacharrides, and soluble starch among polysacharrides. Two isolates produced normal fruiting bodies of C. militaris colored orange or vermilion on bee drone medium. Fruiting bodies were well induced and produced under light conditions.
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ABSTRACT
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Until now, few data have been available on the occurrence of entomophthoralean fungi from populations of Diptera in Central Brazil. Infected Diptera were collected in a protected area of a tropical gallery forest in the Cerrado ecosystem... more
Until now, few data have been available on the occurrence of entomophthoralean fungi from populations of Diptera in Central Brazil. Infected Diptera were collected in a protected area of a tropical gallery forest in the Cerrado ecosystem in June 2014. During this sampling period, the presence of subcylindrical to subfusiform primary conidia (29.5–50.3 X 12.2–20.0 μm) and secondary conidia type II (capilliconidia) (57.6–74.6 X 8.5–11.3 μm) of Zoophthora (possibly Zoophthora radicans), a species from the family Entomophthoraceae (Entomophthorales) were observed as preliminary results of this research. The fungus was found on mycotized adult fly cadaver that was attached by rhizoids to the underside of a leaf. Zoophthora is one of the entomophthoralean genera, with numerous species that have an extraordinarily wide host range, including species of the order Diptera. Although Zoophthora is recorded from numerous insect groups, the literature suggests that individual strains may be highl...
A pesquisa objetivou analisar a suscetibilidade de Sitophilus zeamays, Sitophilus oryzae e Tribolium castaneum à Beauveria bassiana, Metarhizium anisopliae, Isaria cicadellidae e Isaria farinosa, sendo testados três isolados da primeira... more
A pesquisa objetivou analisar a suscetibilidade de Sitophilus zeamays, Sitophilus oryzae e Tribolium castaneum à Beauveria bassiana, Metarhizium anisopliae, Isaria cicadellidae e Isaria farinosa, sendo testados três isolados da primeira espécie e um das demais espécies. Os insetos utilizados nos experimentos foram provenientes de criação em laboratório por 15 gerações. Para a realização dos experimentos foram utilizadas placas de Petri com 15 cm de diâmetro e 1,5 cm de altura. Nestas placas foram acondicionados 15 insetos previamente imersos por 5 segundos em suspensão de cada um dos fungos, contendo 10 8 conídios/mL. Como alimento para os insetos foram colocadas 30 gramas de milho em cada placa. Foram utilizadas 4 placas (repetições), totalizando 120 gramas de milho e 60 insetos por tratamento. O material foi acondicionado em B.O.D a 26 ± 1 o C, umidade de 70 ± 10% e fotofase de 12 horas. A avaliação da mortalidade foi realizada diariamente até 15 dias após a aplicação dos tratamen...
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The genus Metarhizium historically refers to green-spored asexual insect pathogenic fungi. Through culturing and molecular methods, Metarhizium has been linked to Metacordyceps sexual states. Historically fungal nomenclature has allowed... more
The genus Metarhizium historically refers to green-spored asexual insect pathogenic fungi. Through culturing and molecular methods, Metarhizium has been linked to Metacordyceps sexual states. Historically fungal nomenclature has allowed separate names for the different life stages of pleomorphic fungi. However, with the move to one name for one fungus regardless of life stage, there is a need to determine which name is correct. For Metarhizium the situation is complicated by the fact that Metacordyceps sexual states are interspersed among additional asexual genera, including Pochonia, Nomuraea and Paecilomyces. Metarhizium has priority as the earliest available name, but delimiting the boundaries of this genus remains problematic. To clarify relationships among these taxa we have obtained representative material for each genus and established a molecular dataset of the protein-coding genes BTUB, RPB1, RPB2 and TEF. The resulting phylogeny supports Metarhizium combining the majority ...