I investigated several aspects of the biology of entomogenous fungi (mostly
Clavicipitaceae with few species of Hypocreaceae). My primary motive in this research was to
gain an understanding of the interactions between entomogenous fungi and arthropods. My
study included field collections and identification of entomogenous fungi from BC and a few
collections from Peru and Idaho. I addressed some aspects of the interactions among
arthropods and fungi, life histories of fungi under laboratory conditions, and observations of
chemical changes of fungi growing in the presence of heavy metals.
About fifty entomogenous fungi were collected in the province, mainly as anamorphs, but
this permitted isolation and cultivation of many species. Of special interest is a small group of
fungi parasitic on spiders some of which may be new records for western Canada.
Interactions of entomogenous fungi and heavy metals yielded a cerebroside not
detected, or known to be produced, in the absence of heavy metals. This compound showed
antibiotic activity against Staphylococcus aureus. The induction of this cerebroside by exposure
to copper also is a promising approach to obtaining new drugs, or to increase the yield of
selected compounds, from these organisms. The biological activities of other extracts were
assessed, demonstrating additional compounds of interest (e.g., antiviral, antibacterial,
phototoxic and antifungal substances).
Cultures grown on substances rich in oils and proteins (nuts and seeds) appeared to
induce development beyond the anamorph stage to early teleomorph form. No perithecia
developed although large synnemata and relatively bright pigmentation were observed. The
ability to induce complete development of ascocarps would be of laboratory interest in the
possible production of substances from wild ascocarps. Cultures obtained in this study will be
deposited in the Canadian National Culture Collection, Ottawa, in the Canadian Culture
Collection (UBC).
Further research remains necessary to fully understand the relationship between
teleomorph and anamorph stages of entomogenous fungi, their nutritional requirements, for the
production of teleomorph stages under laboratory conditions, and particularly to establish
systems that may allow a chemical exploration for new drugs.
The preliminary studies of anti-arthropod activity by entomogenous fungi were partially
successful in controlling a variety of laboratory-reared and naturally growing arthropods. The
production of bio-pesticides is currently of great interest because of the problems with chemical
pesticides and environmental pollution.
Gaining a better understanding of the biology of these organisms will allow us to develop
new genetic strains of species for both biopesticides and biosynthetic applications. Both kinds
of substances can contribute to maintain the health and equilibrium of the coastal temperate
rainforest of the Pacific Northwest.Science, Faculty ofBotany, Department ofGraduat