Entomopathogenic fungi have high potential in pest management; however, little attention was given to phylum Zygomycota (order Entomophthorales). Herein we investigated the ecology of Entomophaga aulicae at three sweet potato fields (Iksan, Wanju, and Gimje) in Korea and further characterized its biological features, finally suggesting the possible factors inducing the occurrence of the fungal pathogen, which can be effectively used as a biological control agent. In 2002, E. aulicae were primarily observed in Aedia leucomelas (sweet potato leaf worm) larval populations (average infection rate = 41.3%). Further investigation at Iksan and Gimje in 2004 and 2005 showed that this fungal epizootic mostly occurred during the autumn season and the occurrence was related to precipitation. From the laboratory characterization, the fastest mycelial growth and the highest number of satellite colonies were observed at 20–24 °C on Sabouraud dextrose agar with 1% yeast extract medium (SDAY). E. aulicae produced large amounts of protoplasts within this temperature range; the production was significantly enhanced when the medium contained fetal bovine serum (FBS). This work provided useful information about E. aulicae and suggests that this isolate can be an effective biological control agent against the serious sweet potato leaf worm.

Aedia leucomelas (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)–pathogenic Entomophaga aulicae (Zygomycetes: Entomophthorales) in sweet potato fields

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First record of entomopathogenic fungus Entomophaga aulicae in the populations of browntail moth in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Entomophaga aulicae was monitored in populations of noctuid lepidopteran pests of soybean during the 2000, 2001, and 2002 growing seasons in South Carolina and infected only Plathypena scabra larvae. No infection by E. aulicae was detected in 2002. Average infection levels of E. aulicae in P. scabra populations in Blackville were 6.0% and 20.0% in 2000 and 2001, respectively. At Clemson, infection was 15.0% and 23.3% for the two sampling weeks in 2000, and infection reached a high of 50.0% in 2001. Pyriform, multinucleate conidia and spherical to slightly oval resting spores were the primary features of this fungus. When conidia were kept in a high humidity for 6-12 hrs they either formed long germ tubes or secondary conidia. Resting spores were formed by budding from parental cells. This study is the first detailed characterization of E. aulicae from P. scabra.

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Characterization of the Fungal Pathogen, Entomophaga aulicae (Zygomycetes: Entomophthorales) in Larval Populations of the Green Cloverworm, Plathypena scabra (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Gerald R. Carner

Papers

Characterization of the Fungal Pathogen, Entomophaga aulicae (Zygomycetes: Entomophthorales) in Larval Populations of the Green Cloverworm, Plathypena scabra (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)