My work appears to be drifting further
away from insect-fungus biodiversity research and more towards their
uses in traditional medicine. Of course the most famous of these
beasties is Ophiocordyceps sinensis. Followed closely by the
original insect-fungus Cordyceps militaris. But there are
others also. One that has been popping up in various searches I have
made is Isaria cicadae. This was first described from South
America (Brazil) and then transferred to Cordyceps. From the
early 70s it was placed in Paecilomyces. Any internet searches
need to consider all three genera Cordyceps,
Isaria and Paecilomyces.
But the question needs to be raised.
What is Isaria cicadae? Since a fungus under this name is
featured in Traditional Asian Medicine it is important to get the
scientific name right. Isaria cicadae was named from a very
brief description lacking many of the features we would consider
important today. Quite simply I do not believe that what Miquel
described from Brazil almost 200 years ago is the same as what is
being called Cordyceps/Isaria/Paecilomyces
cicadae today in East Asia.
Insect-fungi are becoming increasingly
popular in traditional medicine. And it is increasingly important
that we know exactly what it is that we are working with.
Is there any report of Isaria in spider? Here in India I am working on an entamophagous group and during my field study I came across large number of spider infected by fungi which is a recurring annual event at a definite season.I have brought the same in pure culture but the fruit body reveals that it matches the characteristics of Isaria rather than of the spontaneous specimen.
ReplyDeleteHello Avhijit, yes is the simple answer to your question. Looking at my database I have 120+ records of Isaria from spiders over a 20 year period for Australia, Bhutan and Thailand. Most of these are tentatively labelled as Isaria javanica. There are possibly 3-4 species involved and this is an area ripe for some detailed study. At least one of the Isaria's produces a Torrubiella sexual state (both states were found on the same spider). The more common asexual genera infecting spiders are Gibellula (exclusive to spiders) and Akanthomyces.
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