FIRST RECORD OF A NEOZYGITES SPECIES (ZYGOMYCETES, ENTOMOPHTHORALES) INFECTING SPRINGTAILS (INSECTA, COLLEMBOLA)

A fungal pathogen from the Entomophthorales (Zygomycetes) was discover ed in populations of the lucerne flea Sminthurus viridis (Collembola) collected from grassland and leguminous crops in Denmark during July t o October. The morphology of the fungus was studied in springtails, co llected live, which succumbed to fungal disease following incubation i n the laboratory. Based on these preliminary morphological studies the fungus appears to be an undescribed species of Neozygites. Field stud ies showed the fungus to be enzootic with a widespread geographical di stribution in Denmark, At one location fungus prevalence in S. viridis reached a maximum of approximately 12% infected individuals, No fungu s-killed cadavers were observed in the held. This is the first well-do cumented report of an entomophthoralean fungus infecting an apterygote insect, A single individual was infected by the entomophthoralean fun gus Conidiobolus coronatus. Verticillium lecanii and Beauveria bassian a (Deuteromycotina:Hyphomycetes) were also isolated from S. viridis. ( C) 1996 Academic Press, Inc.