Zoophthora (genus - entomopathogens)
| Literature database |
|---|
| 66 articles sorted by: |
| • year (recent ones first) |
| • research topics |
| • countries/regions |
| • list of pest species |
Author(s): Whitney Cranshaw, Colorado State University
Source: IPM Images
Zoophthora (entomopathogens) A. Batko 1964
This genus of entomopathogenic fungi infects a large variety of insects, including aphids, other Hemiptera, Lepidoptera, Coleoptera or thrips. Several species are important natural biological control agents of insect pests, like Zoophthora radicans which is widely distributed and has many hosts, or Zoophthora phytonomi, a key bioagent for the alfalfa weevil (Hypera postica).
The species of the genus form a special type of rhizoids, called pseudorhizoids that are morphologically distinct from the rhizoids formed by the genus Entomophthora. In the Entomophthorales, rhizoids attach the killed insects to the plant, enabling an efficient dissemination of spores. Zoophthora species produce conidia which initiate new infections and resting spores which ensure the long term survival of the fungus. When germinating, the conidia of Zoophthora form long, thin tubes with a secondary conidium at the end (capilliconidium). These secondary capilliconidia, then penetrate the cuticle of the host. For a phylogenetic review of this genus see Gryganskyi et al. (2013).
Type species: Zoophthora radicans
Currently, the following species have been entered into the system:
