Competition and co-existence of Zoophthora radicans and Pandora blunckii, two co-occurring fungal pathogens of the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella.
Mycol Res
; 113(Pt 11): 1312-21, 2009 Nov.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-19765657
ABSTRACT
The entomopathogenic fungi Zoophthora radicans and Pandora blunckii co-occur in field populations of Plutella xylostella and, therefore, are likely to interact during the infection process. We have investigated the possible outcomes of these interactions in the laboratory. Using four isolates, two of each fungal species, inter-specific interaction experiments were done in Petri dishes and on intact plants. In Petri dish experiments, larvae were inoculated directly using sporulating mats of mycelium, both species had the same opportunity to infect and only the relative concentration of conidia of each pathogen species applied was manipulated. In the intact plant experiments, larvae were placed onto fungus-contaminated plants, inoculation was passive and the probability of infection by either or both species of fungi depended on larval activity and proximity to inoculum. In the Petri dish experiment, the species with the largest concentration of conidia out-competed the other regardless of virulence, and results were similar in the intact plant experiment. The ecological implications for competition or co-existence of these two pathogens in the field are discussed.
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Entomophthorales
/
Moths
Limits:
Animals
Language:
En
Journal:
Mycol Res
Journal subject:
MICROBIOLOGIA
Year:
2009
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
United kingdom