Summary. The natural occurrence of fungal pathogens of aphids and their ecological host range was investigated in Tunisia
from 2009 to 2012. The survey focused on aphid infesting different crops and weeds and included 10 different aphid
species. Samples were collected from eight agricultural crops sites belonging to three different bioclimatic zones.
Four pathogens from the phylum Entomophthoromycota were found to occur naturally in Tunisian ecosystems:
Pandora neoaphidis (Entomophthorales: Entomophthoraceae), Entomophthora planchoniana (Entomophthorales:
Entomophthoraceae), Conidiobolus obscurus (Entomophthorales: Ancylistaceae) and Neozygites fresenii (Neozygitales:
Neozygitaceae). The occurrence of entomophthoralean fungi depended on the sampling area, the bioclimatic zone, and
aphid species. P. neoaphidis and E. planchoniana were the predominant pathogens infecting a wide range of aphid species
whereas C. obscurus and N. fresenii were sporadically present on a limited number of aphid species. This study is the first
survey on ecological host range of entomophthoralean fungi in Tunisia, and the first documentation of C. obscurus and N.
fresenii to occur in Tunisia and Maghreb Region.