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Entomopathogenic Fungi Buy9/6/2021
A successful application of natural pathogens requires a better understanding of both fungal and insect ecology and physiology.This Atlas provides a comprehensive overview of these fields and includes the taxonomy of those species of fungi which are proven pathogens.Biotechnological methods for the genetic modification of these natural pathogens resulting in further optimization and the advantages of biological control are discussed.Springer is part of Springer Nature General Terms Conditions.
The fungi grow over the cuticle like dark protuberances ( bulbils). Infected hosts leave their canopy nests and foraging trails for the forest floor, an area with a temperature and humidity suitable for fungal growth; they then use their mandibles to affix themselves to a major vein on the underside of a leaf, where the host remains until its eventual death. The process leading to mortality takes 410 days, and includes a reproductive stage where fruiting bodies grow from the ants head, rupturing to release the funguss spores. O. unilateralis is in turn also susceptible to fungal infection itself, an occurrence which can limit its impact on ant populations, which has otherwise been known to devastate ant colonies. The leg joints and antenna are covered by specialized cells that produce asexual spores that are transmitted by contact. The round structures (ascoma), suspended by the long stalks (stroma) produce sexual spores that will be released onto the forest oor. Photo by Joo P. M. Arajo) Camponotus nidulans infected by Ophiocordyceps camponoti-nidulantis on its typical display where the antennae are spread in order to optimize the transmission of asexual spores produced along the antenna. Dead on a summit position, aiming to spread the sexual spores. Arajo) Daceton armigerum infected by Ophiocordyceps dacetini. Arajo) Paraponera clavata infected by Ophiocordycceps ponerinarum. Camponotus ligniperda queen likely killed by the parasitic fungus Desmidiospora myrmecophila. On first sight, they look like dirt, and its form is usually a dome, rounded in perimeter, and up to 400 m diameter. The number of bulbils may be from a single one to several hundred. The distribution of bulbils on the body of ants is heterogeneous, being more abundant at the rear part. The total number of bulbils is inversely related to ant size, with bigger ants having less bulbils than smaller ants. ![]()
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