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Size variation of trichospores of Harpella melusinae in larval black flies

     Department of Entomology, Soils & Plant Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina 29634-0315

Trichospores of Harpella melusinae in larval black flies from four streams in northwestern South Carolina were measured. The longest fresh trichospore was 242 µm, 38% longer than the reported maximum length of trichospores for this species. After staining with lactophenol cotton blue, trichospore length was significantly reduced by up to 24.4% in fresh larvae and up to 4.9% in fixed larvae. Mean trichospore length differed significantly between seasons and between sampling sites but did not differ significantly between middle and final instars. Trichospore length correlated significantly with host size. We suggest that taxonomic descriptions of trichomycetes should include measurements of fresh, fixed and stained trichospores.

Key words: Diptera, fungi, Harpellales, Simuliidae, symbiosis, Trichomycetes, Zygomycota