Liposcelis bostrychophila (Psocoptera: Liposcelidae) is a cosmopolitan resident in stored grain that is increasingly accorded pest status due to impressive populations build-ups. We have found it to be highly tolerant of the common entomopathogenic deuteromycete fungi and suspected a cuticular barrier to infection. Analyses of cuticular lipids revealed the presence of long chain hydrocarbons, 16 and 18 carbon saturated and unsaturated fatty acids, straight chain aldehydes of 15 to 17 carbons, and 16 to 22 carbon fatty amides. Short chain fatty acids that were inhibitory to germination of fungal conidia in our assays were not detected. Effects of several of the lipid components on germination and growth of key entomopathogenic will be discussed.
Species 1: Psocoptera Liposcelidae Liposcelis brostrycophila (book louse)
Species 2: Deuteromycotina Hyphomycetes Beauveria bassiana
Species 3: Deuteromycotina Hyphomycetes Metarhizium anisopliae
Keywords: psocid
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