Es. Labeyrie et al., AN INVESTIGATION OF HARPELLALES (TRICHOMYCETES) IN NEW-YORK-STATE BLACKFLIES (DIPTERA, SIMULIIDAE), Journal of invertebrate pathology, 68(3), 1996, pp. 293-298
This research project investigates the distribution and prevalence of
trichomycete fungi present in blackfly larvae and adults in the region
of Cambridge, New York. In blackfly larvae, two genera of Harpellacea
e, Stachylina and Harpella, were observed in midguts, and four genera
of Legeriomycetaceae-Pennella, Genistellospora, Simuliomyces, and Smit
tium-in hindguts, with a total of seven species recorded. This is the
first published report of Stachylina spp. in blackflies. Field data in
dicated that sampling date, host species, and location were all import
ant variables affecting trichomycete prevalence in larvae. We report t
he successful laboratory infection of blackfly larvae with in vitro cu
ltured Smittium simulii, and production of H. melusinae and G. homotha
llica trichospores from cysts dissected from the ovaries of infected f
lies. (C) 1996 Academic Press, Inc.