Abstract: The infection and penetration process of Henosepilachna vigintioctomaculata by Metarhizium flavoiride was studied using scanning electron microscopy. It was found that the process had under gone spore attachment,germination,invasion and extension of hyphae and proliferation phases. The conidia of M. flavoiride attached to the cuticle of H. vigintioctomaculata larvae after 12 h,and the germ tubes were formerd after 24 h,and then gradually grew into a mycelium and spread along the body wall. When it came across a suitable location,front-end of mycelium produced appressoria to penetrate the body wall,and propagated in the body and eventually grew out the larvae to cover the larvae with white mycelium.

Key words: Metarhizium flavoiride var． minus, Henosepilachna vigintioctomaculata, Scanning electron microscopy, Infection process

CLC Number: 

• S45.2