title: Detection of presumptive mycoparasites associated with Entomophaga maimaiga resting spores in forest soils.
abstract: The fungal pathogen Entomophaga maimaiga can provide high levels of control of the gypsy moth, Lymantria dispar, an important forest defoliator. This fungus persists in the soil as resting spores and occurs naturally throughout many areas where gypsy moth is established. Studies on the spatial dynamics of gypsy moth population have shown high variability in infection levels, and one possible biological factor could be the variable persistence of E. maimaiga resting spores in the soil due to attacks by mycoparasites. We surveyed presumptive mycoparasites associated with parasitized E. maimaiga resting spores using baiting and molecular techniques and identified an ascomycete (Pochonia sp.) and oomycetes (Pythium spp.).
authors.affiliation: Department of Entomology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853-2601, United States. Electronic address: lac48@cornell.edu.
authors.forename: Louela A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Castrillo
authors.affiliation: Department of Entomology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853-2601, United States.
authors.forename: Ann E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Hajek
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D020091:Entomophthorales / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000502:physiology*; D009036:Moths / Q000382:microbiology; D012988:Soil Microbiology
keywords: Entomophaga maimaiga; Lymantria dispar; Mycoparasites; Resting spores; Soil baiting; Taxon-specific primers