Genetic exchange in Metarhizium anisopliae strains co-infecting Phaedon cochleariae is revealed by molecular markers

Recombination between two strains of Metarhizium anisopliae, subcultured on artificial medium and passed through an insect host was investigated. When grown on agar culture, or passed through a host, strains did not show dete ctable genetic changes. When passed through an insect in the presence of th e other strain, genotypic changes in the isolates, as detected by esterase electrophoresis. restriction digestion of total genomic DNA and RAPD-PCR, w ere apparent. The instability of molecular markers suggests recombination b etween strains.