SEM Study on Morphological Changes in <I>Metarhizium anisopliae</I> Infected <I>Aphis craccivora</I> Koch.

Abstract

Morphological changes in Metarhizuim anisopliae (Metschnikoff) Sorokin infected cow pea aphid, Aphis craccivora Koch were studied by scanning electron microscope (SEM). Aphids were caged on paired lantern chimney over cowpea twigs dipped in conical flasks with water infected and inoculated with fungal propagules of M. anisopliae at the concentration of 1X10 6 spores /ml of water. Infected aphids were observed under SEM and it showed severe cuticular damage, abnormalities in sensory systems as well as deformation of all the body parts. The hydrophobic conidia of M. anisopliae were found to attach to all body regions. It was evident that mycelial growth and conidiophores with conidia of M. anisopliae covered the body surface and penetrates inside the body of infested aphid causing damage to the pest by disturbing its major physiological activities leading to its death.