Historically, pycnidial fungi belonging to the genus Ampelomyces were among the first
mycoparasites to be studied in detail and were also the first fungi used as biocontrol agents of
plant parasitic fungi. The interactions between host plants, powdery mildew fungi and
Ampelomyces mycoparasites are one of the most evident cases of tritrophic relationships in
nature although their study has received little attention in fungal and plant ecology so far.
Ampelomyces mycoparasites have now become one of the most advanced in terms of
commercial development of a fungal biocontrol agent, although there is still a need for more
development work to produce a product with reliability approaching that of conventional
chemical treatments. This review summarizes the taxonomy, genetic diversity, life cycle, mode of
action, natural occurrence, host range, biocontrol potential, mass production and commercialization
of these mycoparasites and compares the biocontrol ability of Ampelomyces with that
of other fungal antagonists of powdery mildews.
Keywords: Ampelomyces spp., powdery mildew, hyperparasitism, plant protection, integrated