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THE FUNGUS ENTOMOPHTHORA PHYTONOMI PATHOGENIC TO THE ALFALFA WEEVIL, HYPERA POSTICA1

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  31 May 2012

D. G. Harcourt
Affiliation:
Ottawa Research Station, Canada Department of Agriculture, Ottawa, Ontario
J. C. Guppy
Affiliation:
Ottawa Research Station, Canada Department of Agriculture, Ottawa, Ontario
D. M. MacLeod
Affiliation:
Insect Pathology Research Institute, Canadian Forestry Service, Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario
D. Tyrrell
Affiliation:
Insect Pathology Research Institute, Canadian Forestry Service, Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario

Abstract

Entomophthora phytonomi Arthur, a pathogen recognized for many years under the name Entomophthora sphaerosperma Fres. as an important natural control agent in populations of the clover leaf weevil, Hypera punctata (Gyll.), has now been identified from the alfalfa weevil, Hypera postica (Gyll.). Both conidial and resting spore stages are described.

Early in the summer of 1973, the fungus was responsible for an epizootic in populations of the alfalfa weevil throughout much of east-central Ontario. In three study plots, mortality levels in larvae and cocoons ranged from 65–90% and 42–53%, respectively. This suggests that the fungus is capable of playing a significant role in the dynamics of weevil populations.

Type
Articles
Copyright
Copyright © Entomological Society of Canada 1974

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