Entomophthorales Fungi Parasitizing Sucking Insects in Egypt

Abstract

Entomophthorales are insect pathogenic fungi significant biological control potentials due to their high insect toxicity. This review focuses on the survey and morphological descriptions of entomophthoralean species attacking insect pests in Egypt. Until now 10 species of Entomophthorales fungi, belonging to three families (Entomophthoraceae, Neozygitaceae and Ancylistaceace) have been reported to suck insects as their hosts. These fungi are widely distributed in various climatic conditions in several Governorates, representing Lower and Upper Egypt. The fungi are the only pathogens that regularly and effectively control sucking insect populations in the natural ecosystems and agroecosystems. The present review emphasizes more studies and isolations of Entomophthorales species by using modern identification techniques so that their epidemiology and control potentials can be predicated on their role against insect pests under variable climatic conditions in Egypt. The possible relationship between population densities of sucking insect pests and Entomophthorales can be further studied to explore their effective applications under variable climatic conditions in the country.