Studies on Penetration of Insect Integument by Fungi

Abstract The author investigates the mode of penetration of the insect integument by pathogenic fungi, Aspergillus flavus, Beauveria bassiana, Cordyceps militaris, Metarrhizium anisopliae, Paecilomyces farinosus and non-pathogenic fungi Aspergillus oryzae and Trichothecium roseum. The test insect was Tenebrio molitor. The mode of penetration bears on mechanical pressure and enzymic activity, the discussion on the latter being tentative.