Pathogenicity of three formulations of entomopathogenic fungi for control of adult Haematobia irritans (Diptera: Muscidae)

Powder formulations of three species of entomopathogenic fungi were evaluated for their pathogenic effect upon adult horn flies, Hematobia irritans (L.) (Diptera: Muscidae). Flies were treated with conidia and blastospores of the entomopathogenic fungi Beauveria bassiana (Bals.) Vuill. (strain GHA), Metarhizium anisopliae (Metschnikoff) Sorokin (strain ESCI), and Paecilomyces fimosoroseus (Wize) Brown & Smith (strain ARSEF 3581) in the laboratory. At 4 d postexposure, flies treated with B. bassiana had an average of 98.4% mortality versus 43.5% from treatment with M. anisopliae and 13.0% from treatment with P. fiimosoroseus. At 7 d postexposure, flies treated with B. bassiana had an average of 100.0% mortality compared with 73.0% from treatment with M. anisopliae and 33.3% from treatment with P.fumosoroseus. Mean lethal time (LT50) was 2.70, 4.98, and 7.97 d for B. bassiana, M. anisopliae, and P. fiumosoroseus, respectively. Entomopathogenic fungi such as B. bassiana and M. anisopliae may have the potential for controlling populations of horn flies. These studies indicate that B. bassiana and M. anisopliae were not only pathogenic to adult horn flies, but they caused mortality in a short time.     

Mortality of Delia floralis, Galleria mellonella and Mamestra brassicae treated with insect pathogenic hyphomycetous fungi

Abstract:  The susceptibility of Delia floralis eggs, neonates and larvae and the susceptibility of Galleria mellonella and Mamestra brassicae larvae to seven different Norwegian isolates of the insect pathogenic, hyphomycetous fungi Tolypocladium cylindrosporum , Metarhizium anisopliae and Beauveria bassiana , were investigated. Metarhizium anisopliae isolate ARSEF 5520 was highly virulent to G. mellonella larvae and caused 100% mortality when tested at a concentration of 3.6 × 10⁶ conidia/ml. The same M. anisopliae isolate was not virulent to D. floralis larvae. Isolates of T.cylindrosporum , were equally virulent to G. mellonella and D. floralis causing up to 36.0% mortality of larvae. It is suspected, however, that the use of grated rutabaga as a food source in the D. floralis bioassay reduced the fungal virulence of both M. anisopliae and T. cylindrosporum to D. floralis . Among three T. cylindrosporum isolates tested at a concentration of 1.0 × 10⁷ conidia/ml against eggs of D. floralis none of them reduced the hatching percentage. One isolate, ARSEF 5525 did, however, significantly reduce the longevity of neonates. Beauveria bassiana isolates ARSEF 5510 and ARSEF 5370 tested at a concentration of 1.0 × 10⁷ conidia/ml resulted in M. brassicae mortality levels of 70.0 and 55.0%, respectively. The B. bassiana isolate ARSEF 5557, however, was not virulent to M. brassicae . Among the three isolates tested against M. brassicae the two virulent isolates produced a red pigment, probably oosporein, when cultured in Sabouraud dextrose agar.     

Effects of nutrient medium composition and temperature on the germination of conidia and the entomopathogenic activity of the fungi

The effects of nutrient medium composition and temperature on the germination of conidia of the fungi Beauveria bassiana (strain AlG) and Metarhizium anisopliae (strain M-99) and their entomopathogenic activity have been studied. It was demonstrated that the presence of carbohydrates alone was sufficient for the spores of M. anisopliae M-99 to germinate, whereas the germination of B. bassiana AlG spores was inhibited by carbohydrates. Addition of KJ, ZnSO4, or KBr into the Czapek medium increased the entomopathogenic activity of B. bassiana. The optimum temperature for spore germination was 20-35 degrees C in both fungal species.     

Susceptibility of adult Aethina tumida (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae) to entomopathogenic fungi

Aethina tumida Murray (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae) is an invasive parasite species in populations of honey bees, Apis mellifera L. Aiming toward substitution of chemical control, we here identified a naturally occurring fungal pathogen of adult A. tumida from its endemic range in South Africa [Metarhizium anisopliae (Metschnikoff) Sorokin variety anisopliae strain FI-203]. The susceptibility of adult beetles (n = 400) to this fungus and to three other generalist entomopathogenic fungal isolates [Metarhizium anisopliae, Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) Vuillemin, and Hirsutella illustris Minter & Brady] was assessed using spore suspension bioassays. The data revealed significantly increased mortality in the B. bassiana (74.00 +/- 8.94%) and M. anisopliae variety anisopliae (28.00 +/- 16.43%) tests but not in the H. illustris (2.00 +/- 4.47%) and M. anisopliae (12.00 +/- 8.37%) groups. The results indicate a potential for entomopathogenic fungi as an alternative control of A. tumida.     

Susceptibility of Sitophilus zeamais (Motsch.) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) and Prostephanus truncatus (Horn) (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae) to Entomopathogenic Fungi from Ethiopia

The efficacy of 13 isolates of entomopathogenic fungi belonging to Beauveria , Metarhizium or Paecilomyces spp. was assessed against Sitophilus zeamais (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) and Prostephanus truncatus (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae) using a total immersion bioassay technique in the laboratory. Fungi were applied at concentrations of 1 ×10 7 and 1 ×10 8 conidia mL -1 for P. truncatus and S. zeamais , respectively. All isolates tested were virulent to P. truncatus (98-100% mortality, and median survival time (MST) ranged from 2.85-4.05 days). Metarhizium anisopliae and B. bassiana were also virulent to S. zeamais (92-100% mortality, MST ranged from 3.58-6.28 days). The isolate of Paecilomyces sp. was found to be the least virulent against S. zeamais , causing only 26.32 ±4.29% mortality with MST of 10.38 ±0.29 days. P. truncatus proved more susceptible to the entomopathogenic fungi tested than S. zeamais . One M. anisopliae (PPRC-EE) and three B. bassiana isolates (PPRC-HH, PPRC-9609 and PPRC-9614) were selected for further study and dose-mortality relationships were assessed on S. zeamais . The tested concentrations ranged from 1 ×10 4 -1 ×10 7 conidia mL -1 . M. anisopliae (PPRC-EE) showed the lowest LC 50 (3.39 ×10 5 conidia mL -1 ) followed by B. bassiana PPRC-HH (2.04 ×10 6 conidia mL -1 ). PPRC-9609 and PPRC-9614 showed slight differences in LC 50 but not at LC 90 . The results revealed the higher potency of M. anisopliae as compared with the B. bassiana isolates tested. The study suggests that the use of entomopathogenic fungi may hold promise as an alternative method to control pests of stored-products in Ethiopia.     

A new bioassay method reveals pathogenicity of Metarhizium anisopliae and Beauveria bassiana against early stages of Capnodis tenebrionis (Coleoptera; Buprestidae)

We used a newly developed bioassay method to demonstrate for the first time the potential of the entomopathogenic fungi Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae to be used for the control of neonate larvae of Capnodis tenebrionis, a major threat to stone-fruit orchards in several countries. Four B. bassiana and four M. anisopliae isolates were all pathogenic for neonate larvae of C. tenebrionis; mortality rates 10 days after inoculation by dipping in a suspension with 10(8)conidia/ml varied from 23.5% to 100%. Three of the four M. anisopliae isolates caused 100% mortality. In most cases, postmortem hyphal growth and sporulation of M. anisopliae or B. bassiana was observed covering the larvae in their galleries. The eight isolates were also evaluated for pathogenicity to C. tenebrionis eggs at the same dosage. Only two B. bassiana isolates caused significant egg hatching reduction of 84.5% and 94.5%. Our results indicate that M. anisopliae and B. bassiana may be considered as promising for a new approach to prevent larval infestations by C. tenebrionis.     

球孢白僵菌和金龟子绿僵菌不同菌株对黑足角胸叶甲成虫的致病力评价

本研究在测定不同球孢白僵菌Beauveria bassiana和金龟子绿僵菌Metarhizium anisopliae菌株的生长速率与产孢量的基础上, 采用孢悬液浸渍法进行了对油茶新害虫--黑足角胸叶甲Basilepta melanopus成虫的生物测定, 旨在筛选出感染该成虫的高致病力菌株, 为防治该虫提供新的生物资源。结果表明： 不同菌株生长速率和产孢量间存在显著差异, MaYTTR-04, BbFZ-17, MaZPTR-01和BbTK-01生长速率和产孢量均显著高于其他菌株。接种后, 叶甲成虫累积死亡率随时间的增加而逐渐增高, 接种白僵菌7 d后, 成虫校正死亡率全部达到100%; 接种MaZPTR-01和MaYTTR-04两个绿僵菌菌株14 d后, 成虫死亡率分别为80.3%和78.8%。而且接种白僵菌后, 叶甲成虫的僵虫率显著较绿僵菌高, 尤其以BbTK-01和BbFZ-17两个菌株较好, 分别达到85.7%和75.8%。BbXJ-01, BbFZ-17和BbTK-01 3个白僵菌菌株的LT₅₀最小, 分别为3.0, 3.3和3.4 d; MaYTTR-04和MaZPTR-01两个绿僵菌的LT₅₀分别为6.0和6.2 d。结果说明, 白僵菌对叶甲成虫的致病力较强, 尤其是BbTK-01和BbFZ-17两个菌株, 不仅致死率高, 且致死速度快, 僵虫率高, 同时这2个菌株生长速度快、 产孢量大, 具有优良的生产特性, 在黑足角胸叶甲的生物防治中将有重要的应用价值。     

白僵菌生物防治林中虫生真菌群落结构分析

对白僵菌生物防治林中虫生真菌群落的结构研究表明,长期接种式释放白僵菌的马尾松林中虫生真菌共有属7种.球孢白僵菌的数量占绝对优势,为总数的63.22%;拟青霉次之,占25.86%;绿僵菌占9.20%;轮枝孢仅占1.72%.从寄主昆虫的多样性来看,球孢白僵菌和环链拟青霉的Brillouin多样性指数分别为3.56和2.315,均匀度分别为0.81和0.865;粉拟青霉和蜡蚧轮枝孢的多样性指数分别为1.71和0.862,均匀度为0.963和1.000而黄绿绿僵菌、金龟子绿僵菌和玫烟色拟青霉多样性和均匀度指标均较低.不同季节中被白僵菌侵染的寄主昆虫多样性指数呈现出春秋高、夏季低的趋势,反映了白僵菌种群的季节性变化.     

Effects of Metarhizium anisopliae (Metsch.) Sorok. and Beauveria bassiana (Bals.) Vuill. on the predatory stinkbug Podisus nigrispinus (Dallas) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae)

Entomopathogenic fungi and the predatory stinkbug Podisus nigrispinus (Dallas) can target simultaneously the same or different pests in agroecosystems. Topical contact during fungal dispersion or spraying, walking on plant surfaces and ingestion of contaminated prey are some of possible ways of interactions between fungi and the predatory stinkbug. The impact of three isolates of Metarhizium anisopliae (Metsch.) Sorok. (866, 1022 and 1189) and Beauveria bassiana (Bals.) Vuill. (604, 634 and 561) against nymphs and adults of P. nigrispinus was investigated under laboratory conditions. M. anisopliae caused higher mortality compared to B. bassiana either by topical application or by dry residue on cotton leaves. Topic contact with both fungi caused higher mortality to the predator. No mortality confirmation was reported for the adults. Nymphs fed with cotton leafworm larvae Alabama argillacea (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) contaminated by the fungi had their reproduction affected, but this was not observed when adult predators fed on contaminated larvae. These findings suggest that isolates of M. anisopliae can cause mortality of P. nigrispinus nymphs by topical contact, while isolates of B. bassiana were less harmful by all ways of infection as compared to M. anisopliae.     

两步培养法测定真菌产孢营养需求

生防真菌产孢条件的测定一般都是通过连续培养方法,即在同一种限定培养基上完成其生长和产孢过程。文中我们提出分离真菌的生长和产孢阶段,测定产孢营养需求的两步培养新方法。6种生防真菌首先在平板上进行营养生长,然后转移至营养成分和浓度确定的新鲜培养基中继续产孢过程来测定菌株产孢阶段实际营养需求。通过与连续培养方法比较,发现只有淡紫拟青霉Paecilomyces lilacinus、金龟子绿僵菌Metarhizium anisopliae二者产孢条件一致,而厚孢轮枝菌Pochonia chlamydosporia、球孢白僵菌Beauveria bassiana、蜡蚧轮枝菌Lecanicillium lecanii、绿色木霉Trichoderma viride菌株产孢的营养条件存在显著的差异。基于这一方法,确定了绿色木霉最佳产孢条件,即起始碳浓度2g C/L,碳氮比10:1,最佳碳氮源组合纤维二糖和酵母浸膏,为真菌生防制剂生产调控提供了依据。     

The Susceptibility of Boophilus annulatus (Ixodidae) Ticks to Entomopathogenic Fungi

The pathogenicity of five species of entomopathogenic fungi (Deuteromycetes, species: Beauveria bassiana, Metarhizium anisopliae, Metarhizium flavoviride, Paecilomyces fumosoroseus and Verticillium lecanii ) to the various developmental stages of Boophilus annulatus ticks was compared under laboratory conditions. M. anisopliae and B. bassiana strains were most virulent to engorged females and caused 85-100% mortality within 7-10 days post-inoculation (PI). The highest mortality of engorged females caused by other fungi reached only 25-60%. All tested fungi prevented or reduced the egg laying capability of the ticks several days before their death. Females surviving after treatment with the most virulent M. anisopliae strain (Ma-7) reached only 7-8% of their egg laying capacity as compared with the control. Other fungi caused a reduction of the weight of laid eggs by 35.4-80.8% as compared with untreated females. Only M. anisopliae and B. bassiana strains caused 70-98% mortality of the treated eggs. Unfed larvae of Boophilus annulatus were sensitive to M. anisopliae and M. flavoviride strains. The Ma-7 strain was most virulent to unfed larvae, with a mortality rate of 80.4% at a concentration of 1 ×107 spores ml -1 and 100% mortality at a concentration of 1 ×108 spores ml -1 .     

A Proposed Role for the Cuticular Fatty Amides of Liposcelis bostrychophila (Psocoptera: Liposcelidae) in Preventing Adhesion of Entomopathogenic Fungi with Dry-conidia

Maximum challenge exposure of Liposcelis bostrychophila to Beauveria bassiana, Paecilomyces fumosoroseus, Aspergillus parasiticus or Metarhizium anisopliae resulted in no more than 16% mortality. We investigated several of L. bostrychophila's cuticular lipids for possible contributions to its tolerance for entomopathogenic fungi. Saturated C14 and C16 fatty acids did not reduce the germination rates of B. bassiana or M. anisopliae conidia. Saturated C6 to C12 fatty acids that have not been identified in L. bostrychophila cuticular extracts significantly reduced germination, but the reduction was mitigated by the presence of stearamide. Cis-6-hexadecenal did not affect germination rates. Mycelial growth of either fungal species did not occur in the presence of caprylic acid, was reduced by the presence of lauric acid, and was not significantly affected by palmitic acid. Liposcelis bostrychophila is the only insect for which fatty acid amides have been identified as cuticular components. Stearamide, its major fatty amide, did not reduce germination of B. bassiana or M. anisopliae conidia or growth of their mycelia. Adhesion of conidia to stearamide preparations did not differ significantly from adhesion to the cuticle of L. bostrychophila. Pretreatment of a beetle known to be fungus-susceptible, larval Oryzaephilus surinamensis, with stearamide significantly decreased adhesion of B. bassiana or M. anisopliae conidia to their cuticles. This evidence indicates that cuticular fatty amides may contribute to L. bostrychophila's tolerance for entomopathogenic fungi by decreasing hydrophobicity and static charge, thereby reducing conidial adhesion.     

Entomopathogenic Fungi Associated with Natural Populations of the Moroccan Locust Dociostaurus maroccanus (Thunberg) (Orthoptera: Gomphocerinae) and Other Acridoidea in Spain

The entomopathogenic fungi Beauveria bassiana Vuill . and Metarhizium anisopliae (Metschnikoff) have been found in natural populations of the Moroccan locust Dociostaurus maroccanus (Thunberg) and other species of acridoids that cohabit the same locust breeding areas in southern Spain . Infection levels of B. bassiana on insects collected in the field and maintained under laboratory conditions were relatively high (1 . 6 - 20 . 5%) . The prevalence of the disease extended from spring to summer in the three consecutive years monitored . A local isolate of this fungus demonstrated high virulence (LD = 440 conidia / insect) against the 50 locust D. maroccanus in the laboratory bioassay . The relatively wide host range of B. bassiana and its adaptation to the dry and hot conditions dominating the locust breeding area suggest that this isolate could be considered in the development of a biological control programme against D. maroccanus.     

Characterization of Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae isolates for management of tarnished plant bug,Lygus lineolaris (Hemiptera: Miridae)

Selected morphological and physiological characteristics of four Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) Vuillemin isolates and one Metarhizium anisopliae (Metschnikoff) Sorokin isolate, which are highly pathogenic to Lygus lineolaris (Palisot de Beauvois) (Hemiptera: Miridae), were determined. There were significant differences in conidial size, viability, spore production, speed of germination, relative hyphal growth, and temperature sensitivity. Spore viability after incubation for 24h at 20 degrees C ranged from 91.4 to 98.6% for the five isolates tested. Spore production on quarter-strength Sabouraud dextrose agar plus 0.25% (w/v) yeast extract after 10 days incubation at 20 degrees C ranged from 1.6x10(6) to 15.5x10(6)conidia/cm(2). One B. bassiana isolate (ARSEF 1394) produced significantly more conidia than the others. Spore germination was temperature-dependant for both B. bassiana and M. anisopliae. The time required for 50% germination (TG(50)) ranged from 25.0 to 30.9, 14.0 to 16.6, and 14.8 to 18.0h at 15, 22, and 28 degrees C, respectively. Only the M. anisopliae isolate (ARSEF 3540) had significant spore germination at 35 degrees C with a TG(50) of 11.8h. A destructive sampling method was used to measure the relative hyphal growth rate among isolates. Exposure to high temperature (40-50 degrees C) for 10min had a negative effect on conidial viability. The importance of these characteristics in selecting fungal isolates for management of L. lineolaris is discussed.     

Beauveria bassiana yeast phase on agar medium and its pathogenicity against Diatraea saccharalis (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) and Tetranychus urticae (Acari: Tetranychidae)

Beauveria bassiana colonizes insect hosts initially through a yeast phase, which is common in some artificial liquid cultures, but not reported on artificial solid media. We describe a yeast-like phase for B. bassiana isolate 447 (ATCC 20872) on MacConkey agar and its virulence toward Diatraea saccharalis and Tetranychus urticae. The yeast-like cells of B. bassiana developed by budding from germinating conidia after 24-h incubation. Cells were typically 5-10 microm and fungal colonies were initially circular and mucoid, but later were covered with mycelia and conidia. Ability to produce yeast-like cells on MacConkey medium was relatively common among different B. bassiana isolates, but growth rate and timing of yeast-like cell production also varied. Metarhizium anisopliae and Paecilomyces spp. isolates did not grow as yeast-like cells on MacConkey medium. Yeast-like cells of B. bassiana 447 were more virulent against D. saccharalis than conidia when 10(7)cells/ml were used. At 10(8)cells/ml, the estimated mean survival time was 5.4 days for the yeast suspension and 7.7 days for the conidial suspension, perhaps due to faster germination. The LC(50) was also lower for yeast than conidial suspensions. Yeast-like cells and conidia had similar virulence against T. urticae; the average mortalities with yeast-like cells and conidia were, respectively, 42.8 and 45.0%, with 10(7)cells/ml, and 77.8 and 74.4%, with 10(8)cells/ml. The estimated mean survival times were 3.6 and 3.9 for yeast and conidial suspensions, respectively. The bioassay results demonstrate the yeast-like structures produced on MacConkey agar are effective as inoculum for B. bassiana applications against arthropod pests, and possibly superior to conidia against some species. Obtaining well-defined yeast phase cultures of entomopathogenic hyphomycetes may be an important step in studies of the biology and nutrition, pathogenesis, and the genetic manipulation of these fungi.     

Nucleotide excision repair and photoreactivation in the entomopathogenic fungi Beauveria bassiana, Beauveria brongniartii, Beauveria nivea, Metarhizium anisopliae, Paecilomyces farinosus and Verticillium lecanii

AIMS: To compare the DNA repair capabilities of the entomopathogenic fungus (EPF) bassiana to the EPF Beauveria brongniartii, Beauveria nivea, Metarhizium anisopliae, Paecilomyces farinosus, Verticillium lecanii, and the fungi Aspergillus niger and Neurospora crassa. METHODS AND RESULTS: Germination of B. bassiana conidiospores following ultraviolet (UV) irradiation was used to show that nucleotide excision repair and photoreactivation decrease the post-UV germination delay. These two modes of repair were characterized and compared between the aforementioned EPF, A. niger and N. crassa using a physiological assay where per cent survival post-UV irradiation was scored as colony forming units. CONCLUSIONS: The results showed B. bassiana and M. anisopliae are the most UV-tolerant EPF. The DNA repair capabilities indicated that EPF do not have all DNA repair options available to fungi, such as A. niger and N. crassa. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: A key factor detrimental to the survival of EPF in agro-ecosystems is UV light from solar radiation. The EPF literature pertaining to UV irradiation is varied with respect to methodology, UV source, and dose, which prevented comparisons. Here we have characterized the fungi by a standard method and established the repair capabilities of EPF under optimal conditions.     

Pathogenicity of entomopathogenic fungi to different developmental stages of Rhipicephalus sanguineus (Acari: Ixodidae).

The pathogenicity of 4 species of entomopathogenic fungi (Hyphomycetes species: Beauveria bassiana, Metarhizium anisopliae, Metarhizium flavoviride, and Paecilomyces fumosoroseus) to various developmental stages of Rhipicephalus sanguineus (Acari: Ixodidae) ticks was compared under laboratory conditions. The most virulent isolate, M. anisopliae-108, caused 92-96% mortality to unfed larvae and nymphs on day 7 postinfection (PI) and 100% mortality to unfed adults and engorged females on day 21 PI. The pathogenicity of M. anisopliae-108 to engorged larvae and nymphs was lower--82.6 and 60%, respectively. All tested B. bassiana, M. flavoviride, and P. fumosoroseus isolates were significantly less virulent (P < 0.05) or avirulent toward most life stages of R. sanguineus. The M. anisopliae and M. flavoviride isolates also prevented or reduced the ability of the ticks to lay eggs several days before their deaths. Female ticks infected by the fungi achieved only 11.3-60.8% of their egg-laying capacity compared with the controls.     

Susceptibility of Vespula vulgaris (Hymenoptera: vespidae) to generalist entomopathogenic fungi and their potential for wasp control

The pathogenicity of Vespula vulgaris wasp workers and larvae to a range of fungi was determined. All fungi were isolated in New Zealand and included isolates from Vespula, known generalist insect pathogens, and isolates generally nonpathogenic to insects. Workers and larvae were highly susceptible to pathogenic isolates at high spore concentrations (>1.75 x 10(5) cfu/individual). Eight isolates, two of Metarhizium anisopliae, five of Beauveria bassiana, and one of Aspergillus flavus were pathogenic while a single isolate of M. flavouiride var. novazealandicum, Cladosporium sp., and Paecilomyces sp. were not. The transfer of spores between workers, and between workers and larvae, was also investigated using several different application methods. Transfer of spores occurred between treated and untreated individuals, and for some of the application methods sufficient spores were transferred to cause mortality of the nontreated individuals. These findings are related to the potential of fungi for the control of wasps.     

Proteases Released by Entomopathogenic Fungi Impair Phagocytic Activity, Attachment and Spreading of Plasmatocytes Isolated from Haemolymph of the Greater Wax Moth Galleria mellonella

Reliable assays for the in vitro quantification of the attachment and spreading of isolated Galleria mellonella plasmatocytes have been established. The effects of extracellular proteases released by the entomopathogenic fungi Metarhizium anisopliae and Beauveria bassiana on the phagocytic activity, spreading, attachment and cytoskeleton formation of isolated plasmatocytes of G. mellonella were examined to elucidate their putative role in the suppression of cellular immune responses in infected insects. In addition, the influence of different commercially available proteases on isolated plasmatocytes was studied. Among the proteases tested, the metalloprotease thermolysin produced the strongest inhibitory activity on plasmatocytes. The results obtained support the conclusion that invading fungal cells could interfere with the insect immune system via the release of proteases which affect cellular defence reactions. Isolated G. mellonella plasmatocytes incubated with fungal proteases had an impaired ability to ingest yeast cells and exhibited alterations in morphology and cytoskeleton formation. The effects were similar to those observed in plasmatocytes from infected larvae. The role of extracellular fungal proteases in the interactions of entomopathogens with the insect immune system is discussed.