A Parasitic Aspergillus on Mealybugs1

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Abstract
In the propagation of mealybugs in California insectaries, a fungus closely related to A. parasiticus was found to be a potentially serious parasite under conditions of high humidity and moderate-to-high temps. In artificial cultures the fungus killed the mealybugs at temps. ranging from 21[degree] to 31[degree] C, with exposure periods varying from 72 hrs. at 21[degree] to < 36 hrs. at 31 [degree]. Temps. of 13 [degree] to 17[degree] were too low to cause death of the insects, even when inoculated with abundant spores. At times when infection by the fungus is likely to occur in insectaries where mealybugs are being propagated, the following measures are suggested: good ventilation, careful irrigation of the host plants, and a lowering of the temp. to 20[degree] C, or below.

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