INFECTION OF GRASSHOPPERS (ORTHOPTERA, ACRIDIDAE) BY MEMBERS OF THE ENTOMOPHAGA-GRYLLI SPECIES COMPLEX (ZYGOMYCETES, ENTOMOPHTHORALES)

Five pathotypes of the Entomophaga grylli species complex (Zygomycetes: Entomophthorales) were compared on the basis of infectivity to grasshoppers of the genera Melanoplus and Camnula. Intrahemocoelic and topical inoculations demonstrated that the pathotypes can be grouped into three infective range patterns. The Australian pathotype and North American pathotype 1 have the broadest spectrum of infectivity and may hold the greatest potential for future development as microbial agents against grasshoppers. Japanese and Indonesian pathotypes consistently caused disease by injection but were not consistently infective by topical inoculation. North American pathotype 2 was most variable in infectivity and did not infect Camnula pellucida through either infection route.