Fungal structures such us conidia and conidiogenous
cells obtained from dead insects
were measured to enable specific identification.
Mycelia were mounted in lactophenol
cotton blue (0.01% w/v) and observed with a
Wild M20 microscope. Infected insects were
photographed using a Wild M5 stereo microscope
fitted with a Sony Cyber-shot DSCW100
digital camera (www.sony.com). Fungal
preparations were photographed using a
Nikon YS2-H microscope (www.nikon.com)
equipped with a Nikon D40 digital camera.
Monosporic isolates cultured on SDAY 1%
were incubated at 26º C in darkness for 21
days. Growth rates and aspects of the colony
were recorded. Growth was estimated based
on radial growth of the colony, which was
measured by drawing two orthogonal diameters
at 7, 14, and 21 days after incubation.