Blackwellomyces kaihuaensis and Metarhizium putuoense (Hypocreales), Two New Entomogenous Fungi from Subtropical Forests in Zhejiang Province, Eastern China

Abstract

Entomogenous fungi are one of the most diverse fungal groups among ascomycetes. During investigations of macro-fungi biodiversity in Kaihua and Putuo in Zhejiang Province, China, in 2021, several entomopathogenic fungal specimens were collected from subtropical forests. After a careful examination of morphology and multi-gene phylogenetic analyses applying nrSSU, nrLSU, tef1, rpb1 and rpb2, two novel species were discovered, described herein as Blackwellomyces kaihuaensis and Metarhizium putuoense, and further compared with other similar species. Detailed descriptions, color photographs of fresh specimen and figures illustrating microscopic features of the two new species are provided.