''Batkoa major'' is a naturally occurring
fungus that infects
insects.
Little is known about the pathogen. Found in the soil and belonging to the
entomopathogenic fungi, the fungus spores attach to the insects' bodies upon contact. The fungus then enters the insect's body through weak spots in the outer cuticle or exoskeleton. The fungus then forms
rhizoids to anchor its dying host to a tree, as
spores start to develop on the insect's outer body and short-lived infective spores are ejected. The host insect dies between 4 – 7 days after being infected.
[
Traces of the infective spores are hard to find in the environment.
The fungus has been studied as an environmentally-friendly ]insecticide
Insecticides are substances used to kill insects. They include ovicides and larvicides used against insect eggs and larvae, respectively. Insecticides are used in agriculture, medicine, industry and by consumers. Insecticides are claimed to b ...
to control pests such as the invasive spotted lanternfly (''Lycorma delicatula'') in north-eastern North America.potato leafhopper
''Empoasca fabae'' belongs to family Cicadellidae and genus Empoasca within order Hemiptera.”Lamp, W., D., Miranda, L., Culler & Alexander, L. (2011) “Host Suitability and Gas Exchange Response of Grapevines to Potato Leafhopper (Hemiptera: ...
.
See also
* ''Beauveria bassiana
''Beauveria bassiana'' is a fungus that grows naturally in soils throughout the world and acts as a parasite on various arthropod species, causing white muscardine disease; it thus belongs to the entomopathogenic fungi. It is used as a biological ...
''
Bibliography
Collection of Entomopathogenic Fungal Cultures : Catalog of Strains - (Humber, Richard A. United States. Agricultural Research Service)
References
{{Taxonbar, from=Q7247292
Fungi articles needing expert attention
Fungal pest control agents
Entomophthorales
Fungi described in 1888
Fungus species