IMPACT OF ERYNIA-PHYTONOMI (ZYGOMYCETES, ENTOMOPHTHORALES), A FUNGAL PATHOGEN, ON ALFALFA WEEVIL, HYPERA-POSTICA (GYLLENHAL) (COLEOPTERA, CURCULIONIDAE) POPULATIONS IN MISSOURI

Alfalfa and alfalfa weevil, H. postica (Gyllenhal), populations were treated with the fungicide chlorthalonil to eliminate the fungal pathogen, E. phytonomi, of the alfalfa weevil for comparison with untreated populations infected with the pathogen. Population curves for both populations were quite similar; however, the populations with a high incidence of the pathogen exhibited a more dramatic decline. The pathogen did not prevent weevil populations from attaining peak numbers and therefore provided little protection from crop damage.