Observation on the Occurrence of Fungal Pathogens of Aphids and the Spreading of the Pathogens with the Dispersal of the Infected Alates in Southern Part of Yunnan, China

Abstract

It was the first time the survey of entomopathogenic fungi infecting aphids was conducted in this subtropical - tropical region, a great species diversity of fungal pathogens including 9 entomophthorales and 1 hyphomycete entomopathogens were observed. Over 4000 alates of three species aphids were trapped from air, 19.22% of them were infected by fungal pathogens and survived less than 3 days although only 5 of 741 B. brassicae were infected , P. neoaphidis was predominant, and most of the infection occurrence in monsoon season over 75% RH. Infected alates from air have proved highly capable of independently initiating progeny colonies in which the fungal infection could be transmitted.