Open AccessSTRAIN VARIATION IN ZOOPHTHORA RADICANS , A PATHOGEN ON A VARIETY OF INSECT HOSTS IN AUSTRALIA
Author(s) -
Milner R. J.,
Mahon R. J.
Publication year - 1985
Publication title -
australian journal of entomology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1440-6055
pISSN - 1326-6756
DOI - 10.1111/j.1440-6055.1985.tb00225.x
Subject(s) - biology , lepidoptera genitalia , aphid , infectivity , strain (injury) , pathogen , fungus , genetic variation , insect , host (biology) , botany , entomopathogenic fungi , biological pest control , ecology , microbiology and biotechnology , genetics , gene , virus , anatomy
An Israeli strain of Zoophthora racdicans (Brefeld) Batko (Zygomycetina: Entomophthoraceae) was first released in Australia for biological control of the spotted alfalfa aphid (SAA), Therioaphis trifolii (Monell) f. maculata in 1979. Isolates derived from epizootics on SAA in subsequent years were compared, isoenzymically, with isolates naturally occurring on Diptera and Lepidoptera. The isolates from SAA were found to be isoenzymically distinct. In addition, these naturally occurring isolates were very low in their infectivity for SAA. It is therefore concluded that the epizootics currently suppressing SAA populations are more likely due to the introduced rather than the indigenous strains of the fungus. In view of the observed genetic variation in Z. radicans , it is proposed that this species would be a suitable candidate for initiating studies on genetic mechanisms in entomophthoran fungi.