Abstract
Overlooking the importance of insect disease can have disastrous effects on insect conservation. This study reported the microfungi that infect Pteroptyx bearni eggs and larvae during ex-situ rearing project. Two different species of microfungi that infected the firefly’s immature life stages were isolated and identified. Penicillium citrinum infected the firefly’s eggs while Trichoderma harzianum infected the firefly during the larval stage. Both microfungi species caused absolute mortality once infection was observed; out of 244 individual eggs collected, 75 eggs (32.5%) were infected by Penicillium citrinum. All 13 larvae that hatched from the uninfected eggs were infected by Trichoderma harzianum. This study was the first to document the infection of Pteroptyx bearni’s eggs and larvae by Penicillium citrinum and Trichoderma harzianum.
Highlights
Fungi and insects are often closely associated in many habitats, and their interactions ranged from being transient to having obligate associations
Rios-Velasco et al [4] investigated the entomopathogenic fungi that are associated with fall armyworm larvae (Spodoptera fragiperda)
The infected eggs shrunk in shape, turned from light yellowish to brown, and brown, and microfungi are observed as outgrowth on the surface of the eggs (Figure 2b,c)
Summary
Fungi and insects are often closely associated in many habitats, and their interactions ranged from being transient to having obligate associations. Some of the fungi can potentially benefit the insects, while others are detrimental [1]. Oliveira et al [2] studied the fungal diversity found on Olive Moths (Prays oleae). Studies done by Ruiz-Najera et al [3] and. Rios-Velasco et al [4] investigated the entomopathogenic fungi that are associated with fall armyworm larvae (Spodoptera fragiperda). A large amount of studies have been done on the fungi associated with
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