Histopathology of Metarhizium anisopliae, an Entomopathogenic Fungus, Infection in -the Termite, Coptotermes curvignathus

Abstract

WOThers of the termite, Coptotermes curvignathus (IsofJtera: Rhinotermitidae), apestofmany tree crops including fruit and plantation trees, were inocttlated with the ento mopathogenic fungus, Metarh izium an isopliae byexfJosing the termite to viable conidia in a pet-Ii dish. The ontogeny of the fungus was followed histologically. Conidia which landed on the cuticle germinated within 24 h. The germ tube penetrated the cuticle and the hyphae subsequently invaded the tissues in the following order:fat body, muscles, neural, gut epithelial cells and gizzard. Infected termites died between 36- 48 h post-inoculation. Complete colonization of the tennite, however was not histologically evident until 72 h post-inoculation. At this stage, all parts of the insect '5 internal organs were infected. At 100 h, whitish mycelia began to emerge from the cuticle. Compacted masses of conidiophore1J'fOducing-green conidia were formed 120 h post-inoculation.