Observations on entomopathogenic fungus Ophiocordyceps neovolkiana on coconut root grub Leucopholis coneophora

Abstract

Ophiocordyceps Ophiocordyceps O. sinensis Cordyceps Ophiocordyceps Leucopholis coneophoraOphiocordyceps neovolkiana are entomopathogenic fungi on arthropods which parasitize, kill and mummify hosts and produce fruit bodies out of them. Due to the presence of many bioactive compounds like adenosine, cordycepin, ergosterol, these fungi have been used as food as well as medicine against many diseases. Even though cosmopolitan in distribution, many like are mostly confined to high Himalayan Mountains in India, China, Tibet, Nepal, Bhutan at an altitude of 3000 to 5000 msl. Owing to high price, are known as "Himalayan gold". From surveys conducted in coastal sandy areas of Kasargod District (Kerala), it was observed that sp. attacks coconut root grubs ( Burm.), which is an endemic pest in the sandy tracts. The fungus was isolated in potato dextrose agar medium. Detailed morphological studies have been carried out. The molecular characterization showed homology with (Kobayasi) strain KC1 with 98% identity. The ITS sequence has been deposited at NCBI with accession # MH668282 and culture has been deposited in the National Fungal Culture Collection of India with herbarium # NFCCI 4331.