Paecilomyces cateniannulatus Liang, a commonly found, but an unrecorded entomogenous fungus in Japan

Cultural and morphological characters of isolates belonging to an entomogen ous Paecilomyces species commonly found in Japan were investigated and comp ared with the literature. This species has not been recorded in major monog raphs of this genus, but identified as Paecilomyces cateniannulatus Liang d escribed in 1981 from China. Mycelia on insects and media were pure white, and sometimes produce loose synnemata up to 10 mm. Growth rate of the fungu s is moderate. The reverse side of colonies on SDY or MEA media are colorle ss to light yellow. Phialides are flask shaped with a narrow neck, 3.0-16.1 X 1.3-3.2 mum, often forming a whorl. Conidia are oval to short cylindrica l, 2.1-4.6 X 1.3-2.4 mum, arranged in basipital chains. Conidial chains are often irregularly curved and sometimes form a loop. Early stage of the con idiogenous structure of this fungus resembles that of Beauveria, but is dis tinguished by formation of conidial chains.