Neozygites


Neozygites is a genus of fungi in the family Neozygitaceae, which is in the order Entomophthorales. Commonly used as a pest controller for mites, aphids, and thrips, the genus was described in 1885 by E. Witlaczil.

Distribution and habitat

Neozygites fresenii has been found in Europe, the Americas, and South Africa.

Ecology

The main hosts of Neozygites species are mites and aphids; Neozygites fresenii epizootics have been found in colonies of Aphis gossypii in Arkansas, causing a notable reduction in populations of them. Several species of the genus were first described on spider mites, namely N. adjarica, N. floridana, N. tetranychi, and N. tanajoae; Neozygites tanajoae is known to exclusively affect spider mites on Venezuelan and Colombian manioc. Its pest-controlling properties have seen N. tanajoae used in Benin to dissipate Mononychellus tanajoa populations. The red spider mite is a known host of the epizootics of N. floridana, being affected by the fungus on tomatoes in Brazil. N. floridana is known to have the ability to significantly lessen the populations of red spider mites, but gratuitous fungicide use can negatively impact the fungus. The genus is also known to affect thrips.

Taxonomy

In 1987, a new genus Thaxterosporium was proposed, consisting only of N. turbinatus. In 1991, the genus was synonymized with Neozygites. The genus Neozygites consists of the following 20 species:Neozygites abacaridis Miętk. & BałazyNeozygites acaridis MilnerNeozygites adjaricus Remaud. & S.KellerNeozygites cinarae S.KellerNeozygites cucumeriformis Miętk. & BałazyNeozygites floridanus Remaud. & S.KellerNeozygites fresenii Remaud. & S.KellerNeozygites fumosa Remaud. & S.KellerNeozygites heteropsyllae Villac. & WildingNeozygites lageniformis Remaud. & S.KellerNeozygites lecanii Ben Ze'ev & R.G.KennethNeozygites linanensis Xiang Zhou & C.MontalvaNeozygites microlophii S.KellerNeozygites osornensis C.Montalva & BartaNeozygites parvisporus Remaud. & S.KellerNeozygites remaudierei S.KellerNeozygites slavi S.KellerNeozygites tanajoae Delal., Humber & A.E.HajekNeozygites tetranychi Remaud. & S.KellerNeozygites turbinatus Remaud. & S.Keller
In addition to these species, two are yet to be classified:Neozygites sp. N51
  • ''Neozygites sp. XZ-2015''