Fine structure of the fungus Metarrhizium anisopliae infecting three species of larval Elateridae (Coleoptera). IV. Development within the host.

Abstract

Metarrhizium anisopliae develops through three structural stages within the body cavity of elaterid larvae after penetration of the host integument. The fine structure of these stages is described. The penetrant hyphae give rise to hyphal bodies, which become distributed throughout the body cavity and give rise to secondary hyphae in all parts of the body. The third stage consists of discrete large, ovoid cells with abundant nutrient stores and few metabolically active inclusions. It is termed a chlamydospore stage to differentiate it from the hyphal body stage, the cells of which are also discrete and often ovoid. The suggestion is that the chlamydospores may maintain fungal viability within the body of the host for extended periods before surface sporulation.