02202nas a2200169   4500008004100000020001400041245023200055210006900287260001300356300001200369490000700381520142400388653002601812100003401838700002501872856013501897       2009                        eng d  a0015-404000aA modified method to visualize infection sites of spores of the entomopathogen Beauveria bassiana (Deuteromycotina: Hyphomycetes) on the exoskeleton of citrus root weevil Diaprepes abbreviatus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) adults0 amodified method to visualize infection sites of spores of the en  cDecember  a623-6280 v923 aBeauveria bassiana is a widespread entomopathogen which is infectious to a great variety of insects. A commercial preparation of this fungus was used to study its potential as a biocontrol agent of the citrus root weevil, Diaprepes abbreviatus. Laboratory reared adult weevils were placed in clean plastic bags with 0.05 g of powdered inoculum per bag, shaken for thirty seconds, and placed in holding cages. In order to determine the spore concentration, germination, and position of ingress, inoculated weevils were dipped in a collodion solution after 30 min, 6 h, 12 h, 18 h, and 30 h. Collodion peels from various areas of the exoskeleton were removed, stained with lactophenol cotton blue, and observed microscopically. At 12 h post-inoculation spores began to swell, and at 18 h close to 25% germinated on all body parts except on the elytra. After 30 h, between 45% and 75% of the spores germinated, depending on the body part. Most active spore germination occurred around the eyes (75%), followed by the ventral abdomen (65%), the dorsal pronotum (60%), scales (45%), and dorsal surface of the elytra (7%). Spores were washed from the surface of inoculated weevils with distilled water and plating onto potato dextrose agar. Spore density on the weevils' surface was determined to be 15,815 [plus or minus] 479 spores initially after inoculation, and was reduced to 5,782 [plus or minus] 136 spores after 3 h.10aDiaprepes abbreviatus1 aGillett-Kaufman, Jennifer, L.1 aKimbrough, James, W.  uhttps://weevil.myspecies.info/modified-method-visualize-infection-sites-spores-entomopathogen-beauveria-bassiana-deuteromycotina-h