Incidence of Entomophagous Medicinal Fungus, Ophiocordyceps nutans on Stink Bug, Halyomorpha halys (Stal) in the Western Ghats of India

Abstract

An entomophagous medicinal fungus Ophiocordyceps nutans growing on the sap sucking stink bug (Halyomorpha halys) was recorded for the first time from the forests of Western Ghats of India. This ascomycete emerges from the dead stink bugs in soil or humus during the southwest monsoon (June-August). In association with the host trees species (Cassine glauca), the stink bugs infected by Hymenostilbe nutans (anamorph of O. nutans). On completion of life cycle, the dead stink bugs accumulate in the base of host trees during summer (April-May). On the onset of southwest monsoon, H. nutans in dead stink bugs emerges as perfect state (O. nutans)