Association of Entomopathogenic and Other Opportunistic Fungi with Insects in Dormant Locations

A survey of entomopathogenic and other opportunistic fungi associated with seven naturally infected insect species live hidden in some plants at their hibernation sites at Gara mountain, Kurdistan region of Iraq was carried out. Aspergillus flavus, A. niger and Beauveria bassiana were detected with high isolation rates. Several other opportunistic pathogens including Alternaria alternata, Curvularia sp., Fusarium sp., Humicola sp., Penicillum sp., Rhizopus stolonifer, Ulocladium atrum, Trichoderma sp., and sterile mycelium were also isolated. Beauvaria brongniartii was isolated from Sunn pest (Eurygoster integriceps) for the first time in Iraq. A brief description along with photographs is provided for the newly recorded species.