Histopathology Caused by the Entomopathogenic Fungi, Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae, in the Adult Planthopper, Peregrinus maidis, a Maize Virus Vector

The planthopper Peregrinus maidis (Ashmead) (Hemiptera: Delphacidae) is an important vector of maize viruses in tropical and subtropical areas. Planthoppers are biologically controlled with several species of entomopathogenic fungi that have been isolated from these insect pests of rice in Asia. Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo-Crivelli) Vuillemin and Metarhizium anisopliae (Metschnikoff) Sorokin (Hypocreales: Clavicipitaceae) appear to be the most useful against planthoppers because of their ease of mass production, storage, virulence, and application. In the present study, adults of P. maidis infected with B. bassiana and M. anisopliae were observed under light and scanning electron microscopy to characterize morphologically the process of infection and the development of these fungi, prior to and after the death of the host. The hydrophobic conidia of both fungal species were able to attach to all body regions, with a preference for surfaces containing hairs. Few germinated conidia were observed on the insect's body surface at 24, 48, and 72 hr post-inoculation. On the cuticular surface of P. maidis treated with B. bassiana and M. anisopliae, bacillus-like bacteria were observed. These microorganisms could be interacting with fungal conidia, playing a role of antibiosis that will not allow the fungal pathogens to germinate and penetrate. In the colonization events observed in this study, the formation and multiplication of hyphal bodies by both fungal species inside the host's body was noted. The host's whole body was invaded by hyphae between five and six days post-inoculation, and body fat was the most affected tissue

A new South American genus of Iassinae (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) and additional morphological characters for two Neotropical species of Neobalinae and Nioniinae

The new iassine leafhopper genus Ana gen. nov is described, based on the type species Ana doctrix sp. nov. from Argentina, and placed in the tribe Hyalojassini. The new genus is distinguished from other Neotropical Hyalojassini genera by setose forewings, submarginal vein evanescent apically and appendix narrower than first apical cell, male pygofer with a triangular expansion turned mesad on ventral margin, lacking hooks, styles bifid basally, and female sternite VII short, with posterior margin concave. The subfamilies Neobalinae and Nioniinae are recorded for the first time from Argentina. New female morphological characters of Calliscarta fasciata (Osborn) (Neobalinae) and the male terminalia of Nionia major(Osborn) (Nioniinae) are provided. An updated key to the 12 subfamilies of Cicadellidae present in Argentina is provided.Fil: Defea, Bárbara Soledad. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Centro de Estudios Parasitológicos y de Vectores. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. Centro de Estudios Parasitológicos y de Vectores; ArgentinaFil: Paradell, Susana Liria. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. División Entomología; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentin