Route of infection and hematological effect of Metarhizium anisopliae(Metsch.) Sorokin on Dysdercus cingulatus(Fab.) adult

The primary objective of this work was to identify, under laboratory conditions, the route of infection and hemogram of Dysdercus cingulatus (Fab.) adults by Metarhizium anisopliae. The infection process in D. cingulatus by M. anisopliae involved the conidia adherence to the host cuticle and germination after 24 h post-infection, accompanied by falling of bristles. The subsequent step, within 24–48 h post-infection, comprised penetration of fungus through spiracles, root of bristles, hemolymph, and the three dorsal sacs. Subsequently, within 72–96 h post-infection, the fungus penetrated into trachea and sacs, then emerged on cuticular surface and was found to be maximum in hemolymph. A great decrease in hemocytes count was observed within 96 h from infection. The hemosomic index (HSI) decreased gradually as the incubation period increased.