Entomophthora ferdinandii (Zygomycetes: Entomophthorales) causing natural infections of Musca domestica (Diptera: Muscidae) in Argentina.

LÓPEZ LASTRA, CLAUDIA C.; SIRI, AUGUSTO; GARCÍA JUAN J.; EILENBERG, JØRGEN; HUMBER, RICHARD A.

MYCOPATHOLOGIA

Springer

Lugar: Amsterdam; Año: 2006 vol. 161 p. 251 - 254

0301-486X

The identity and activity of an entomopathogenic fungus belonging to the Entomophthora muscae species complex and infecting Musca domestica in poultry houses from La Plata, Argentina, is reported. Entomophthora caused natural infections between September 2001 and September 2003. Primary conidia of this fungus were on average 29.5 ± 1.2 × 23.4 ± 2.4 µm and contained, on average, 10.5 ± 0.1 nuclei (range: 7–15) with an average diameter of 4.8 ± 0.1 µm. This fungus is identified as E. ferdinandii Keller (this specific epithet includes a nomenclaturally required spelling correction); this is a first record of E. ferdinandii in South America and of any member of the E. muscae species complex from flies in Argentina. Keywords  entomopathogenic fungi - Entomophthora muscae species complex - house flies - new geographical record - poultry house