![]() ![]() isolate has been isolated from dying ants used in rearing of parasitic Phorid flies. Other fungal species also occur under certain conditions. Infective spores develop on the mummified cadaver, and a new cycle of infection can occur when healthy ants come in contact with the spores.īoth Metarhizium anisopliae and Beauveria bassiana are known to infect fire ants both in wild populations and in laboratory experiments. After death of the host insect, the fungus grows throughout the cadavers and emerges through the cuticle. Typically, an infected insect will die within 3-5 days. When spores of these fungi contact the host cuticle, the fungus germinates, penetrates the insect body, and starts growing in the insect body. Entomopathogenic fungi were among the first pathogens noticed to affect imported fire ant populations in their native range in South America. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |