A procedure for preservation of the mosquito pathogen Culicinomyces clavisporus

Summary

An effective storage procedure has been demonstrated for the mosquito pathogen Culicinomyces clavisporus. A mycelial preparation was harvested by filtration, sprayed with a sucrose solution and air dried at 20°C in a laminar flow cabinet until the mycelial mat became crisp. This material was then ground in a hammer mill and particles of less than 355 μm were sieved out. Viability of the particles was assessed by studying mycelial growth and conidial formation when particles were added to water agar plates or to water. The particles retained 100% viability after 9 weeks storage at-20°C or 6 days at 4°C. Preparations lost activity rapidly if stored at 20°C. Conidia produced by this method were pathogenic to mosquito larvae.