Sporulation by Entomophthora schizophorae (Zygomycetes: Entomophthorales) from housefly cadavers and the persistence of primary conidia at constant temperatures and relative humidities.

The duration of discharge of Entomophthora schizophorae (Zygomycetes: Entomophthorales) conidia from house fly (Musca domestica, Diptera) cadavers was measured at 7, 18, and 25 degrees C. The higher the temperature, the shorter the duration of conidia discharge. Significantly more conidia were produced per cadaver at 7 degrees C over a period of 120 h than at 18 and 25 degrees C. At 25 degrees C, the initial discharge over the first 10 h was much larger than at the other temperatures, and at 7 degrees C, no peak in discharge was observed. The persistence of E. schizophorae primary conidia was measured on fabricated non-host surfaces typically found in stables (straw, wood, plaster, and glass) at 7, 18, and 25 degrees C or constant relative humidities of 45, 65, and 85%. Persistence, as measured by the subsequent ability to infect flies, was usually only a few days and depended on the temperature and type of surface. It was greatest on straw, followed by wood, glass, and plaster, and at 7 degrees C, followed by 18 and 25 degrees C. Limited transmission took place between flies exposed to conidia and previously unexposed mates. Copyright 2001 Academic Press.