Zygomycota (entomopathogens)

entomopath. fungi • Diseases of pests • Beneficials/natural enemies

Melanostoma scalare hoverfly infected with the fungus Entomophthora muscae (click on image to enlarge it)
Source: Wikimedia Commons

Zygomycota (entomopathogens)

The Zygomycota contain around 1,000 species of mainly saprobic fungi. The group is characterized by their type of sexual reproduction. During this process, two hyphae of different mating types form a bridge or yoke between each other (zygon = yoke). This yoke-like structure becomes the zygosporangium which contains the spherical and sexual zygospores. Both zygosporangium and zygospores are thick-walled resting stages. Asexual spores are also formed.

Note:
This page refers only to entomopathogenic species. For plant pathogenic species in this group see the Zygomycota (plant pathogens).

The following groups of entomopathogens are currently included in the system:

• Entomophthorales - 35 species