Record of Evlachovaea sp (Hyphomycetes) on Triatoma sordida in the state of Goias, Brazil, and its activity against Triatoma infestans (Reduviidae, triatominae)

A fungal isolate was detected on a dead Triatoma sordida (St (a) over circlel) collected in a peridomestic area in central Brazil. The fungus belongs to Evlachouaea Borisov and Tarasov, a new genus that was recently described in Russia. The isolate seems to be a third species and the second new and undescribed species front Brazil. The fungus was shown to be active against Triatoma infestans (Klug) third-instar nymphs at a humidity close to saturation. However, activity was reduced at a lower humidity (75%). Values of LC50 Varied between 1.1 x 10(5) and 1.5 x 10(4) conidia/cm(2) treated surface, 15 and 20 d after fungal application and incubation at humidity close to saturation. This new fungus may have a potential for biological control of peridomestic Chagas' disease vectors during the rainy season.