Aspergillus from Brazilian mosquitoes - I. Genera Aedes and Culex from Riode Janeiro State

As part of an ongoing survey of potential biological control fungi from ins ects in Brazil, aspergilli were isolated from 625 mosquitoes belonging to 1 7 species in the genera Aedes and Culex. Two hundred and fifteen isolates b elonging to 17 Aspergillus species were found. Aspergillus niger, Aspergill us flavus and Aspergillus nidulans were the most frequently isolated specie s. Two other species, Aspergillus fischerianus and Aspergillus heteromorphu s were new records for insects. The macro- and microcharacteristics of the Brazilian isolates are compared to those in previously published descriptio ns. The habitat and geographical distribution of these fungi in Brazil is r eviewed.