Erynia neopyralidarum BEN-ZE'EV (Zygomycetes : Entomophthorales) Isolated from the Mulberry Tiger Moth, Spilosoma imparilis BUTLER (Lepidoptera : Arctiidae) in Japan

Abstract

Erynia neopyralidarum BEN-ZE'VE (Zygomycetes : Entomophthorales) was isolated from diseased larvae of Spilosoma imparilis from Hachijo Island. Primary conidia were uninucleate, pyriform to oval and measured 21-31×12-17 μm, av. 25.8×15.4 μm. Secondary conidia were similar in shape to primary conidia and measured 15-21×10-18 μm, av. 17.3×12 μm. The fungus infected laboratory-reared larvae of S. imparilis, Hyphantria cunea and Homonamagnanima. Mortality due to the fungus was low in natural populations but markedly high in laboratory conditions.