ISSN:
1573-0832
Keywords:
Diptera
;
Entomophthora muscae
;
infection
;
post-mortem growth
;
susceptibility
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
,
Medicine
Notes:
Abstract Sixteen species of Diptera from eight families were inoculated with conidia ofEntomophthora muscae (Zygomycetes: Entomophthorales). The following species were susceptible and became infected at the rates indicated:Musca domestica (100%),Sarcophaga haemorrhoidalis (86%),Phaenicia sericata (44%),Scatophaga stercoraria (30%),Drosophila melanogaster (11%),Aedes aegypti (3%), andStomoxys calcitrans (2%). The following species were not susceptible under the conditions of this study:Phormia regina, Calliphora vicina, Rhagoletis pomonella, Eristalis arbustorum, Eristalis tenax, Toxomerus geminatus, Sphaerophoria scripta, Syrphus sp. andAllograpta oblique. Differences in susceptibility were not related to the taxonomic affinities of the taxa tested; however, susceptibility may be related to interspecific morphological differences of hosts, such as, scales and hairs on the host or the degree of sclerotization of host integument. Each host-pathogen interaction was examined. Characteristics of the post-mortem growth of the fungus were similar within a host species but differed between host species. These differences in post-mortem growth of the fungus were related to the suitability of host species as a substrate for the pathogen. The incubation period of the mycosis was related to host species and not to host size, it varied from seven days for the relatively largeS. haemorrhoidalis to 17 days for the relatively smallA. aegypti.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00769569
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