Abstract
Second-instar larvae of the gypsy moth, Lymantria dispar were exposed to sporulating cultures of Nomuraea rileyi and fixed for histopathogical examination to study the host-parasite relationship. Penetration of the cuticle occurred within 42 hours post-inoculation and by 68 hours, the interior of the host, including the gut was completely filled with hyphae. By 48 hours post-inoculation, 100% mortality was recorded in all the infected larvae. Toxin production by N. rileyi was observed and the extract of the mycelium of N. rileyi was applied to gypsy moth larvae via topical application and by intra-haemocoelic injection which produced high levels of mortality in the larvae.
