Armoured scales exhibit a peculiar way of interaction with their habitat. This contribution focuses on the symbiosis between Diaspididae and Septobasidium, a Genus of Fungi. The phenomenon, healthy or infected armoured scales embedded into a thick and often two layered epiphytic fungal mat, is scarcely reported in, despite the large amount of Diaspididae collection in the country. The meaning of symbiosis is unclear, being the fungus considered a true symbionts (mutualist) or a parasite (entomopathogenic). Collection and accurate scrutiny of perennial smooth-bark trees and shrubs in resulted in abundant material and searching-dependent findings of the wanted association. Studies on the growth of fungal patch demonstrates that the fungus is a true entomopathogenic antagonist of armoured scales, whose species depends on its host- plant preference.
DISTRIBUZIONE E SIGNIFICATO DELLA SIMBIOSI FRA DIASPIDIDAE (RHYNCHOTA COCCOIDEA) E SEPTOBASIDIUM (FUNGI)
PORCELLI, Francesco
2014-01-01
Abstract
Armoured scales exhibit a peculiar way of interaction with their habitat. This contribution focuses on the symbiosis between Diaspididae and Septobasidium, a Genus of Fungi. The phenomenon, healthy or infected armoured scales embedded into a thick and often two layered epiphytic fungal mat, is scarcely reported in, despite the large amount of Diaspididae collection in the country. The meaning of symbiosis is unclear, being the fungus considered a true symbionts (mutualist) or a parasite (entomopathogenic). Collection and accurate scrutiny of perennial smooth-bark trees and shrubs in resulted in abundant material and searching-dependent findings of the wanted association. Studies on the growth of fungal patch demonstrates that the fungus is a true entomopathogenic antagonist of armoured scales, whose species depends on its host- plant preference.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
