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INFECTION OF AEDES AEGYPTI LARVAE BY AXENIC CULTURES OF THE FUNGAL GENUS SMITTIUM (TRICHOMYCETES)
Author(s) -
Williams Marvin C.,
Lichtwardt Robert W.
Publication year - 1972
Publication title -
american journal of botany
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.218
H-Index - 151
eISSN - 1537-2197
pISSN - 0002-9122
DOI - 10.1002/j.1537-2197.1972.tb10080.x
Subject(s) - biology , aedes aegypti , larva , axenic , spore , host (biology) , instar , hindgut , infectivity , pupa , microsporidia , zoology , botany , microbiology and biotechnology , ecology , virology , bacteria , virus , genetics , midgut
Spores from axenic cultures of Smittium spp., isolated from various geographical locations and from different dipteran hosts (mosquito, black fly, and chironomid larvae), were fed to mosquito larvae (Aedes aegypti) . We were able to demonstrate some host specificity at the insect family level, but no significant differences in infectivity by isolates from different geographical areas. Spore germination and thallus attachment were observed in the host hindgut within 1.5 hr post spore ingestion. Preliminary studies indicate that S. culisetae has little effect on A. aegypti larvae when they are reared under conditions that promote pupation within 5–6 days. However, ingestion of large numbers of spores by 1st instar larvae growing under suboptimal nutritional conditions may produce fungal growth detrimental to larvae.