Entomophaga grylli | |
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Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Fungi |
Division: | Entomophthoromycota |
Class: | Entomophthoromycetes |
Order: | Entomophthorales |
Family: | Entomophthoraceae |
Genus: | Entomophaga |
Species: | E. grylli
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Binomial name | |
Entomophaga grylli Fresenius
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Entomophaga grylli is a fungal pathogen which infects and kills grasshoppers. It is the causal agent of one of the most widespread diseases affecting grasshoppers. This is sometimes known as summit disease because infected insects climb to the upper part of a plant and grip the tip of the stem as they die; this ensures widespread dispersal of the fungal spores.[1] The fungus is a species complex with several different pathotypes, each one of which seems to be host-specific to different subfamilies of grasshoppers. The pathogen is being investigated for its possible use in biological pest control of grasshoppers.
Capinera
was invoked but never defined (see the help page).