Morphological and phylogenetic analyses reveal novel entomopathogenic fungi infecting scale insects and aphids in China.

ABSTRACT: Entomopathogenic fungi exhibit a cosmopolitan distribution across diverse ecosystems, with their ubiquitous presence intrinsically linked to insect habitats-essentially occurring wherever insect populations exist. These fungi represent a vital biological resource, particularly in agriculture and forestry. They serve as a crucial repository of fungal strains for biological pest control. This investigation identified seven species from southwest China based on multi-gene (ITS, LSU, SSU, act, rpb1, rpb2, and tef1-α) phylogenetic analyses and morphological characteristics, including one new species and one newly recorded species in Cladosporium (Cladosporiaceae); four new species in Moelleriella (Clavicipitaceae); and one new species in Podonectria

SUBMITTER: Yang C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12529078 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature