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The life cycle of the insect pathogenic fungus Metarhizium anisopliae in the termite Nasutitermes exitiosus

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Abstract

In in vitro and in vivo studies the mode of penetration from Metarhizium anisopliae through the termite integument is elucidated. Serial sections and haemolymph studies elucidate the infective cycle within the host.

Conidia germinate and penetrate the cuticle after a not-obligate formation of one or more appressoria. A penetration plate or hyphal bodies between cuticle layers form the base for the invasion of the body cavity, where the haemolymph distributes the multiplicating hyphal bodies. After the death of the insect due to various fungal toxins, organs and tissues are penetrated. Before the gut is invaded, the fungus breaks through to the outside and grows with a special air mycelium, which forms the conidiophores. From these structures the conidia, which stick together in bunches of chains, develope. These conidia can infect the nest mates.

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  1. Institut für Bienenkunde, D 6370, Oberursel, Germany

    H. Hänel

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Hänel, H. The life cycle of the insect pathogenic fungus Metarhizium anisopliae in the termite Nasutitermes exitiosus . Mycopathologia 80, 137–145 (1982). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00437576

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