Pathogens (Phycomycetes: Entomophthoraceae) of the blue-green aphid Acyrthosiphon kondoi Shinji and other aphids in Australia

Abstract

Aphid pathogens were collected in Australia, mainly from June 1977 until September 1979. A brief description is given of each of the six species of Entomophthora found; E. aphidis, E. exitialis, E. obscura. E. phalloides, E. planchoniana and E. virulenta. A key to these species is provided. The principal host aphids studied were two exotic legume aphids. Acyrthosiphon kondoi and Therioaphis trfolii f. maculata. In addition, pathogens were identified from Aphis craccivoua, Brevicoryne brassicae, Cliaetosiphon tetraihodum, Hyperoniyzus lactucae, Macrosiphum rosae, M. euplzorbiae, Myzus ornatus, M. persicae, Sitobion miscanthi, Rhopalosiphum rujabdorninalis, Acyrthosiphon pisum 'Broom-biotype' from Tasmania, Capitophorus elaeragni and three unidentified species. Three pathogens (E. exitialis, E. obscura and E. planchoniana) have been found causing epizootics in A. kondoi. Only one pathogen, E. obscura, occurs regularly in populations of T. trifolii f. maculata. The potential for introducing Entomophthora species for microbial control of aphids in Australia is discussed.