Entomopathogenic fungus

Fungus that can act as a parasite of insects Entomopathogenic fungi are parasitic unicellular or multicellular microorganisms belonging to the kingdom of Fungi, that can infect and seriously disable or kill insects. Pathogenicity for insects is widely distributed in the kingdom of fungi and occur in six fungal phyla (Ascomycota, Oomyceta, Basidiomycota, Chytridiomycota, Zygomycota, and Microsporidia). It plays a vital ecological role in controlling insect populations by impacting 19 out of 30 known insect orders. Some fungal entomopathogens are opportunistic whereas some have evolved into highly specific pathogens of insects. Etymology The term entomopathogenic comes from the combination of the Ancient Greek word ἔντομον (éntomon) and pathogenic, which itself comes from the combination of the Ancient Greek words πάθος (pathos) and γένος (génos). Ento is an affix denoting relation to insects, with patho being an affix to denote relation to disease. The affix genic indicates production of or result of. Mode of infection Unlike many other insect pathogens (entomopathogenic viruses, nematodes, or bacteria), most entomopathogenic fungi do not require entry through in