Host range and specificity of an Argentinean isolate of the aquatic fungus Leptolegnia chapmanii (Oomycetes: Saprolegniales), a pathogen of mosquito larvae (Diptera: Culicidae).

C.C. LÓPEZ LASTRA; A.C. SCORSETTI; G.A. MARTI; J.J. GARCÍA

MYCOPATHOLOGIA

Springer

Año: 2004 vol. 158 p. 311 - 315

0301-486X

An isolate from Argentina of the fungal mosquito pathogen Leptolegnia chapmanii (ARSEF 5499), was tested against 12 species of mosquito larvae and on species of non-target aquatic invertebrates and vertebrates. The mosquito species tested were Aedes aegypti, Anopheles sp., Culex apicinus, Cx. castroi, Cx. dolosus, Cx. pipiens, Cx. renatoi, Isostomyia paranensis, Ochlerotatus albifasciatus, Oc. crinifer, Psorophora cyanescens, and P. ferox. Mosquito larvae of 10 species were susceptible, with mortality rates from 10 - 100%. Two mosquito species Cx. renatoi and I. paranensis  were not infected by Leptolegnia. None of the non-target fauna treated was infected by L. chapmanii with exception of members of the Family Chironomidae which were susceptible at low infection rates. Key words: fungus- host range- Leptolegnia chapmanii- mosquitoes- pathogens- susceptibility.