Rearing zombie flies: Laboratory culturing of the behaviourally manipulating fungal pathogen Entomophthora muscae
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Insect pathogenic fungi (IPF) and insects have ubiquitous interactions in nature. The extent of these interkingdom host-pathogen interactions are both complex and diverse. Some IPF, notably of the order Entomophthorales, manipulate their species-specific host before death. The fungus-induced altered insect behaviours are sequential and can accurately be repeatedly characterised temporally, making them a valuable model for understanding the molecular and chemical underpinnings of behaviour and host-pathogen co-evolutionary biology. Here, we present methods for the isolation and laboratory culturing of the emerging behaviourally manipulating model IPF Entomophthora muscae for experimentation. • E. muscae isolation and culturing in vitro. • Establishing and maintaining an E. muscae culture in vivo in houseflies (Musca domestica). • Controlled E. muscae infections for virulence experiments and quantification of conidia discharge per cadaver.
Original language | English |
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Article number | 102523 |
Journal | MethodsX |
Volume | 12 |
Number of pages | 9 |
ISSN | 2215-0161 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2024 |
Bibliographical note
Publisher Copyright:
© 2023
- Behavioural manipulation model, Diptera, Host-parasite interaction, In vitro, In vivo, Insect pathogenic fungus
Research areas
ID: 379794527