Microclimatic Humidity Influence on Conidial Discharge in Erynia sp. (Entomophthorales: Entomophthoraceae), an Entomopathogenic Fungus of the Alfalfa Weevil (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

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Abstract
The association between conidial discharge (showering) and relative humidity in Erynia sp. infecting larval alfalfa weevils was studied under field conditions during an 11-day epizootic. The fungus was observed to shower when relative humidities in the alfalfa canopy exceeded 91% for ca. 3 h. The showering period had a mean duration of 5 to 10 min. A general trend toward shorter periods of showering early in the showering period (1 to 30 a.m.) was observed, whereas longer periods of showering occurred between 3 and 6 a.m. Low temperatures above freezing had no observed direct effect on either time or duration of showering. Collected data provide empirical support for a relationship between accumulated relative humidity (humidity hours) and conidial dicharge in a fungal entomopathogen.

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