title: A PCR-based method to identify Entomophaga spp. infections in North American grasshoppers.
abstract: A PCR-based method was developed for the detection and identification of two species of grasshopper-specific pathogens belonging to the genus Entomophaga in North America, Entomophaga calopteni and Entomophaga macleodii. Two separate sets of primers specific for amplification of a DNA product from each species of Entomophaga as well as a positive control were utilized. Grasshoppers were collected from two sites in Mexico during an epizootic with grasshoppers found in "summit disease", typical of Entomophaga infections. There was a preponderance of Melanopline grasshoppers infected by E. calopteni. The described method is an accurate tool for identification of North American grasshopper infections by Entomophaga species.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Parasitología, Universidad Autónoma Agraria Antonio Narro, Saltillo, Coahuila 25315, Mexico.
authors.forename: Rebeca
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Casique-Valdes
authors.forename: Sergio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sanchez-Peña
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ivonne Torres-Acosta
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Bidochka
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004271:DNA, Fungal / Q000235:genetics; D020091:Entomophthorales / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000472:pathogenicity; D006110:Grasshoppers / Q000382:microbiology*; D008800:Mexico / Q000453:epidemiology; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D013172:Spores, Fungal / Q000235:genetics; D020096:Zygomycosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology*
chemical_list: D004271:DNA, Fungal