Cordyceps aphodii, a new species, on pasture cockchafer grubs

The larva of the pasture cockchafer, Aphodius howitti, is the host for a new species of Cordyceps, C. aphodii. The morphology of the fungus has been described in detail. There are two conidial stages, and one of these, stage A, is unde-scribed; the other belongs to the genus Hymenostilbe Petch. The fungus develops in the haemocoele of the host in the form of hyphal bodies which, after death takes place, form a mycelium of hyphae and gemmae. The spores of all stages have been germinated and grown on artificial media. The same type of colony is produced by all types of spore, and all colonies develop conidial stage A only. The Cordyceps is parasitized by two other species of fungi: (a) a member of the Discellaceae, and (b) Tilachlidium brachiatum (Batsch.) Petch. These have also been grown on artificial media and the colonies are unlike those of the Cordyceps. Further work is necessary before the value of the fungus as a means of biological control of the host can be assessed.