Experimental mycosis of the gypsy moth,Porthetria dispar [Lep.: Lymantriidae] byEntomophthora virulenta, with notes on its mammalian safety

Abstract

Larvae of the gypsy mothPorthetria dispar (L.) were infected with sporulating cultures of the fungus,Entomophthora virulentaHall & Dunn using the spore shower technique. The infectivity of the parasite in the host and its histopathology was observed. Penetration of the integument was recorded at 24 hours post-inoculation and conidiophore production occurred at 72 hours after infection. Experiments on mammalian toxicity against laboratory mice showed no significant differences between control and treated mice in body weight, blood cell counts, food and liquid consumption and in the post-mortem examination.