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Prevalence and biology of Furia gastropachae (Zygomycetes: Entomophthorales) in populations of forest tent caterpillar (Lepidoptera: Lasiocampidae)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 April 2012

Melanie J. Filotas*
Affiliation:
Department of Entomology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853-0901, United States of America
Ann E. Hajek
Affiliation:
Department of Entomology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853-0901, United States of America
Richard A. Humber
Affiliation:
USDA–ARS Plant Protection Research Unit, United States Plant, Soil and Nutrition Laboratory, Tower Road, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853-2901, United States of America
*
1Corresponding author (e-mail: [email protected]).

Abstract

Furia gastropachaecomb. nov. (= Furia crustosa MacLeod et Tyrrell) has long been associated with declines in populations of the forest tent caterpillar, Malacosoma disstria Hübner; however, its prevalence and impact on host populations have never been documented. We clarify the nomenclature for this species, which has previously been called F. crustosa, and describe the morphology of F. gastropachae isolates from Maryland and New York. Epizootics of F. gastropachae were studied in M. disstria populations in New York and Maryland, United States of America. Prevalence (mean ± SE) of F. gastropachae in late fifth instar larvae in New York was 25.6 ± 7.8% compared with 22.2 ± 11.3% infection by virus and 23.3 ± 8.4% parasitism. In Maryland, F. gastropachae was not found in early instars and its incidence in fourth and fifth instars was 14.5 ± 7.3 and 21.6 ± 17.6%, respectively. Dipteran parasitoids were also important natural enemies with 38.3 ± 3.0 and 17.9 ± 1.4% parasitism in fourth and fifth instars, respectively. Virus was found in fewer than 5% of larvae collected. Furia gastropachae showed a marked tendency toward resting spore production in infected larvae, with 100% of larvae collected in New York and >80% of larvae collected in Maryland producing resting spores, either alone or in combination with conidia. The appearance of cadavers of larvae dying from fungal and viral infections was similar. Of 13 species of Lepidoptera exposed to F. gastropachae conidia in host-range bioassays, only 3.3% of Danaus plexippus (L.) (Lepidoptera: Danaidae), 5.6% of Pieris rapae (L.) (Lepidoptera: Pieridae), and 3.7% of Manduca sexta (L.) (Lepidoptera: Sphingidae) were successfully infected by this fungus.

Résumé

Furia gastropachaecomb. nov. (= Furia crustosa MacLeod et Tyrrell) a depuis longtemps été associé à une diminution des populations de Malacosoma disstria Hübner, la livrée des forêts. Cependant, la fréquence d'infection et son impact sur les populations hôtes n'ont jamais été documentés. Nous clarifions la nomenclature de cette espèce, qui a été appelée antérieurement F. crustosa, et décrivons la morphologie des isolats de F. gastropachae en provenance du Maryland et de New York. Des épizooties de F. gastropachae ont été étudiées dans des populations de M. disstria de l'état de New York et du Maryland (États-Unis d'Amérique). La prévalence de F. gastropachae chez les larves de la fin du cinquième stade larvaire dans New York était de 25,6 ± 7,8 % (moyenne ± écart type). Par comparaison, le taux d'infection par le virus et le taux de parasitisme étaient, respectivement, de 22,2 ± 11,3 et 23,3 ± 8,4 %. Dans l'état du Maryland, nous n'avons pas observé F. gastropachae dans les premiers stades larvaires et son incidence chez les larves des quatrième et cinquième stade étaient de 14,5 ± 7,3 et de 21,6 ± 17,6 % respectivement. Les parasitoïdes de l'ordre des diptères représentaient également d'importants ennemis naturels de ces deux derniers stades larvaires (38,3 ± 3,0 et 17,9 ± 1,4 % de parasitisme, respectivement). Le virus était présent dans moins de 5 % des larves recueillies. Furia gastropachae a démontré une tendance marquée à produire des spores de réserve chez les larves infectées: 100 % des larves recueillies dans l'état de New York et >80 % des larves recueillies dans l'état du Maryland comprenaient des spores de réserve, soit seules, soit en association avec des conidies. L'apparence des cadavres des larves tuées par des infections fongiques ou par des infections virales était semblable. Des 13 espèces de lépidoptères exposés à des conidies durant les bio-essais sur l'éventail des hôtes de F. gastropachae, seulement 3,3 % de Danaus plexippus (L.) (Lepidoptera: Danaidae), 5,6 % de Pieris rapae (L.) (Lepidoptera: Pieridae) et 3,7 % de Manduca sexta (L.) (Lepidoptera: Sphingidae) ont pu être infectés par ce champignon.

Type
Articles
Copyright
Copyright © Entomological Society of Canada 2003

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