Role of the Leopard moth in vectoring/dispersing pathogenic fungi

To demonstrate the eventual Lm and Bb ability to vector/disperse fungi, the work was focused on specialized cuticular structures devoted to fungal propagule collection or harboring as sporothecae or mycangia. Later, we proceeded by culturing methods to screen the culturable cuticle-associated microorganisms, both fungi and bacteria. Then, several promising fungi were isolated from external insect surfaces and identified to the genus level as Phaeoacremonium, Phaeomoniella and Neofusicoccum using protocols described by Mostert et al. (2006). Simultaneously, several attempts were made to demonstrate the viability of fungi or bacteria in caterpillar frass.