Lecanicillium longisporum is the approved name of an entomopathogenic fungus species, that was previously widely known as Verticillium lecanii (Zimmerman) Viegas, but is now understood to be an anamorphic form in the Cordyceps group of genera in the Cordycipitaceae.[1] It now appears that isolates formerly classified as V. lecanii could be L. attenuatum, L. lecanii, L. longisporum, L. muscarium or L. nodulosum.[2]
| Lecanicillium longisporum | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Fungi |
| Division: | Ascomycota |
| Class: | Sordariomycetes |
| Order: | Hypocreales |
| Family: | Cordycipitaceae |
| Genus: | Lecanicillium |
| Species: | L. longisporum
|
| Binomial name | |
| Lecanicillium longisporum R. Zare & W. Gams, 2001
| |
"V. lecanii" was first described in 1861 and has a worldwide distribution. Insects are infected when they come into contact with the sticky fungal spores which then grow and invade the body, thus the internal organs are consumed, leading to their death. In horticulture and agriculture, the Lecanicillium longisporum Isolate (GCRI 1-72; IMI 179172) was first isolated and developed by scientists, Drs R.A.Hall and H.D.Burges [3] at the Glasshouse Crops Research Institute (now Warwick HRI: formerly part of Horticulture Research International).
Products and Important Isolates edit
L. longisporum is now marketed as 'Vertalec', for management of aphid pests, by Koppert in the Netherlands (who provide good illustrations of the fungus[4]). 'Vertalec', based on strain IMI 179172, was first commercialised and registered in the UK through the collaboration of GCRI and Tate and Lyle Ltd (UK).
References edit
- ^ Zare R, Gams W. (2001) A revision of Verticillium sect. Prostrata. III. Generic classification. Nova Hedwigia. 72: 329-337
- ^ Goettel MS, Koike M, Kim JJ, Aiuchi D, Shinya R, Brodeur J (2008) Journal of Invertebrate Pathology 98: 256–261
- ^ HALL RA, BURGES HD (1979) Control of aphids in glasshouses with the fungus, Verticillium lecanii. AAB
- ^ "Verticillium lecanii-m mycelium & Trialeurodes vaporariorum adult Koppert Biological Systems 4030". 19 August 2008.