Humoral Encapsulatinon of the Fungus Erynia Radicans (Entomophthorales) by the Potato Leafhopper Empoasca Fabae (Hemiptera)
Document Type
Article
Journal/Book Title/Conference
Journal of Invertebrate Pathology
Volume
52
Publication Date
1-1-1988
First Page
49
Last Page
56
Abstract
The immune response of the potato leafhopper, Empoasca fabae, to fungal infection is humoral encapsulation. Noncellular, melanotic capsules were formed around invading hyphae of Erynia radicans, Metarhizium anisopliae, and Hirsutella guyana. Melanization of E. radicans hyphae was observed in the cuticle, epidermis, and hemolymph of infected leafhoppers, in some cases within 4-6 hr post-inoculation. The encapsulation response was nearly always ineffective in preventing fungal infection. Rarely, hyphae in the hemolymph were completely encased in thick melanotic capsules. Thin sections of melanized hyphae showed the melanin to be a granular, electron-opaque substance. A few hyphae were observed coated with a filamentous, electron-opaque substance which also may be melanin.
Recommended Citation
Butt, T.M., S.P. Wraight, S. Galaini-Wraight, R.A. Humber, D.W. Roberts and R.S. Soper. 1988. Humoral encapsulatinon of the fungus Erynia radicans (Entomophthorales) by the potato leafhopper Empoasca fabae (Hemiptera). J. Invertebrate Pathology 52: 49-56.