Environmental Entomology (1983) 12, 635-640

J.L. Fetter-Lasko and R.K. Washino (1983)
In situ studies on seasonality and recycling pattern in California of Lagenidium giganteum Couch, an aquatic fungal pathogen of mosquitoes
Environmental Entomology 12 (3), 635-640
Abstract: From 1974 through 1980, overwintering survival of Lagenidium giganteum Couch was repeatedly demonstrated in aquatic situations associated with flooded rice fields in the Sacramento Valley in northern California. In two instances, persistence of the fungus through two winters and a summer without the availability of irrigation water was documented. In one instance (1974), however, the fungal infectivity pattern in mosquito larvae was erratic and of low order in nature. No such pattern was observed in the more recent observation (1978). Alternate drying and flooding within a season did not adversely affect fungal establishment in the habitat. This study did not confirm high temperature and soluble salts of the soil as limiting factors for this organism. Within a continuous pond system, a minimum dispersal of 28 to 33 m from the point of introduction was documented. In aquatic habitats situated nearby but separated by a physical barrier (e.g., dirt levee), no airborne dispersal was noted. L. giganteum was found to be a highly virulent microbial agent of Culex tarsalis Coquillett larvae, but in comparative in situ studies appeared to be inconsistent against Anopheles freeborni Aitken larvae. No patent infections were observed in associated aquatic invertebrates collected from test sites.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
population dynamics/epizootiology
environment/habitat manipulation

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Culex tarsalis		U.S.A. (SW)
	Anopheles freeborni		U.S.A. (SW)
Lagenidium giganteum (entomopathogen)	Culex tarsalis		U.S.A. (SW)
Lagenidium giganteum (entomopathogen)	Anopheles freeborni		U.S.A. (SW)