Hirsutella minnesotensis sp nov., a new pathogen of the soybean cyst nematode

Hirsutella minnesotensis, a new fungal species, was isolated and described from second-stage-juveniles of the soybean cyst nematode, Heterodera glycin es. The fungus can be distinguished from other species of Hirsutella by the strongly swollen base of conidiogenous cells and verrucose, globose conidi a. The fungus is similar to Hirsutella thompsonii in colony morphology and conidium characteristics, but differs from Ni. thompsonii in that the new s pecies has a strongly swollen base, a conspicuous swelling near the apex of conidiogenous cells, and larger conidia. The fungus is a pathogen of He. g lycines and may have potential as a biological control agent.