Experimental mycosis of the gypsy moth,Porthetria dispar [Lep.: Lymantriidae] byEntomophthora virulenta,with notes on its mammalian safety

Larvae of the gypsy mothPorthetria dispar (L.) were infected with sporulating cultures of the fungus,Entomophthora virulenta Hall & Dunn using the spore shower technique. The infectivity of the parasite in the host and its histopathology was observed. Penetration of the integument was recorded at 24 hours post-inoculation and conidiophore production occurred at 72 hours after infection. Experiments on mammalian toxicity against laboratory mice showed no significant differences between control and treated mice in body weight, blood cell counts, food and liquid consumption and in the post-mortem examination.

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Résumé Des larves dePorthetria dispar (L.) ont été infectées par des cultures en sporulation du champignon,Entomophthora virulenta Hall & Dunn par projection des spores à partir de la culture. L'infection par le pathogène et les processus histopathologiques ont été observés. La pénétration du tégument a été notée 24 heures après la contamination et les conidiophores apparaissent 72 heures après l'infection. Des essais sur souris ont montré qu'il n'y a pas de différences entre les animaux traités et les témoins pour le poids, les formules sanguines, la consommation d'eau et d'aliment et les examens post-mortem.

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This study was supported by a grant from the Faculty Research Committee of Rhode Island College and was awarded jointly to the authors.