Aplicação de feromônios no manejo de pragas em fruteiras de clima ...

HAJEK, Ann E.
ECOLOGY OF FUNGAL PATHOGENS INFECTING ARTHROPODS
Department of Entomology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853-2601, USA. Email:
aeh4@cornell.edu
Pathogenic fungi can have important impacts on arthropod populations, both due to naturally
occurring epizootics and when applied for pest control. Understanding the ecology of these
pathogens is critically important for their use in control. Studies of disease ecology include both
the biotic and abiotic interactions with pathogens that impact disease prevalence. I will present
an overview of the epizootiology of fungal diseases, highlighting advances in research and
methodology toward studying the ecology of these diseases. Initial studies are generally
conducted in the laboratory where conditions can be controlled but subsequently, studies in
nature are necessary. Quantifying prevalence of fungal disease in host populations must be
system specific, both in relation to the fungus and the host. Broader host specificity of a
pathogen can lead to increases in pathogen populations, independent of the population of the
primary host. Both the total host and the pathogen populations must be quantified. In
particular, quantifying the pathogen in the environment can include detecting and counting
sporulating cadavers, airborne spores, spores on leaves and spores in the soil, as well as
quantifying infected hosts. Recent developments toward use of molecular techniques are
especially important to detect and confirm the fungal species detected in the environment.
Abiotic impacts important to fungi include moisture levels, temperature and sunlight. We have
much to learn about biotic interactions and their impact on entomopathogenic fungi. Studies
have shown that plant species can impact entomopathogenic fungi, both as a substrate for spore
deposition and as food for phytophagous arthropods. Studies have also investigated
co-infections between different pathogens or between parasitoids and fungal pathogens. Finally,
models can be useful for investigating overall patterns of disease prevalence, allowing
investigations of metapopulation dynamics and disease spread and identification of the
conditions associated with development of epizootics.
Palavras-chave: Disease ecology, epizootiology, entomopathogenic fungi
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