Hirsutella sp. (Hypocreales: Ophiocordycipitaceae) affecting the invasive social wasp Vespula vulgaris (Hymenoptera: Vespidae) in southern Chile

Authors

  • Christian Montalva Universidad Austral de Chile, Facultad de Ciencias, Instituto de Bioquímica y Microbiología, Casilla 567, Valdivia, 5090000, Chile
  • Eladio Rojas Servicio Agrícola y Ganadero, Laboratorio Regional, Ruta Puerto Octay U-55-V, Calle de Servicio, Osorno, 5290000, Chile
  • Eduardo Valenzuela Universidad Austral de Chile, Facultad de Ciencias, Instituto de Bioquímica y Microbiología, Casilla 567, Valdivia, 5090000, Chile
  • Richard Humber United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Research Service (ARS) Emerging Pests and Pathogens Research Unit, Robert W. Holley Center for Agriculture and Health, Ithaca, NY, USA

Keywords:

invasive species, natural enemy, entomopathogenic fungus,

Abstract

Summary

In Chile, the invasive and noxious pest Vespula vulgaris (L.) (Hymenoptera: Vespidae) was first reported in 2011 in the Araucanía region and is currently distributed between Araucanía and Magallanes regions. In Mar 2015 (autumn), during an ongoing monitoring of funnel traps by the Servicio Agrícola y Ganadero, a fungus-infected individual was collected. The fungus was identified morphologically as a species of Hirsutella (Hypocreales: Ophiocordycipitaceae). This is the first report of any Hirsutella species on V. vulgaris in Chile. No in vitro cultures were successfully established from the infected insect.

 

Sumario

En Chile la plaga invasora y nociva Vespula vulgaris (L.) (Hymenoptera: Vespidae) se reportó por primera vez el año 2011 en la Región de la Araucanía y actualmente se distribuye entre las regiones de la Araucanía y Magallanes. En marzo del 2015 (otoño) durante un monitoreo que estaba en curso con trampas de embudo por el Servicio Agrícola y Ganadero, un individuo micotizado fue colectado. El hongo se identificó morfologicamente como una especie de Hirsutella (Hypocreales: Ophiocordycipitaceae). Este es el primer reporte de cualquier Hirsutella en V. vulgaris en Chile. No se consiguió realizar cultivos in vitro desde el insecto infectado.

 

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Published

2017-10-10

Issue

Vol. 100, No. 3 (September 2017)

Section

Scientific Notes

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