%0 Journal Article
%T A Third Way for Entomophthoralean Fungi to Survive the Winter: Slow Disease Transmission between Individuals of the Hibernating Host
%A J£¿rgen Eilenberg
%A Lene Thomsen
%A Annette Bruun Jensen
%J Insects
%D 2013
%I MDPI AG
%R 10.3390/insects4030392
%X In temperate regions, insect pathogenic fungi face the challenge of surviving through the winter. Winter is a time when hosts are immobile, low in number or are present in a stage which is not susceptible to infection. Fungi from Entomophthoromycota have so far been known to survive the winter in two ways: either as (1) thick-walled resting spores released into environment from dead hosts, or as (2) structures inside the dead host (e.g.,£¿hyphal bodies). Here we report, from the Danish environment, a third way to survive the winter, namely a slow progression and transmission of Entomophthora schizophorae in adult dipteran Pollenia hosts that hibernate in clusters in unheated attics, sheltered areas outdoors (under bark etc.). Fungus-killed sporulating flies were observed outside very early and very late in the season. By sampling adults at the time of their emergence from hibernation in late winter/early spring we documented that the fungus was naturally prevalent and killed flies after a period of incubation. Experimentally we documented that even at the low temperature of 5 ¡ãC, the fungus was able to maintain itself in Pollenia cohorts for up to 90 days. From these observations the full winter cycle of this fungus is£¿elucidated. The three types of winter survival are discussed in relation to fungus epidemic£¿development.
%K Entomophthora
%K Pollenia
%K winter survival
%K spores
%U http://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/4/3/392