Hesperomyces harmoniae
Laboulbeniales are microfungi always grow attached to the exoskeleton of an arthropod hosts. They do not form hyphae or a mycelium, instead, they develop from a two-celled ascospore to form a multicellular thallus. Hesperomyces fungi have been reported on over 30 species of ladybirds but is in fact a species complex, each clade seemingly host-species specific. The fungus on Harmonia axyridis is Hesperomyces harmoniae. Fungi on other ladybirs should be recorded as Hesperomyces virescens sensu lato unless they have been identified to species level.
Microscopic examination and photos of specimen and fungus required.
On Ladybirds.
Unknown.
Unknown.
Haelewaters, D. (2019). Hesperomyces “harmoniae” nom. prov.(Laboulbeniales), an ectoparasitic fungus specific to Harmonia axyridis. IOBC-WPRS Bull, 145, 53-55.
AJ Cann
Leicester Botanic Garden
24 February 2024
AJ Cann
Leicester Botanic Garden
24 February 2024
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