Lecanicillium lecanii
entomopathogenic fungus
Lecanicillium lecanii, an entomopathogenic fungus growing on Hyalopterus pruni, Mealy plum aphid. Fungus spores stick to the host insect, then fungal hyphae grow through the tough exoskeleton. The fungus then consumes the host. Lecanicillium lecanii has been used in the biological control of aphids.
Photograph detail
Slide 1: Lecanicillium lecanii, an entomopathogenic fungus growing on Hyalopterus pruni, Mealy plum aphid. Shows dead aphid with fungal hyphae on plum leaf underside. Collected from a garden in Redmire. August.
Slide 2: Lecanicillium lecanii, an entomopathogenic fungus growing on Hyalopterus pruni, Mealy plum aphid. Shows dead aphid with fungal hyphae on plum leaf underside. Collected from a garden in Redmire. August.
Slide 3: Lecanicillium lecanii, an entomopathogenic fungus growing on Hyalopterus pruni, Mealy plum aphid. Three infected aphids. Collected from a garden in Redmire. August.
Slide 4: Lecanicillium lecanii, an entomopathogenic fungus growing on Hyalopterus pruni, Mealy plum aphid. Squash showing fungal hyphae. Photographed at x400, brightfield illumination. Collected from a garden in Redmire. August.
Slide 5: Lecanicillium lecanii, an entomopathogenic fungus growing on Hyalopterus pruni, Mealy plum aphid. Spores. Photographed at x400, phase contrast illumination. Collected from a garden in Redmire. August.