Laboratory experiments were performed in order to investigate the capacity of isolates from the predacious fungi Arthrobotrys musiformis (isolate 3), A. conoides (isolate A) and A. robusta (isolates B and E) to trap and kill infective Cooperia punctata larvae. Two groups were formed for each isolate: group 1, fungi and infective larvae and group 2, infective larvae (control). There were statistical differences (p<0.05) between the predacious activity of one isolate of A. robusta (isolate E) when compared with the other isolates of Arthrobotrys spp (isolates A, B and 3). No statistical difference (p>0.05) was found between the isolate E and the control. This indicates that there can be an existing variability within a fungus species or genus concerning the predation of infective C. punctata larvae.
Arthrobotrys spp; Fungi; Cooperia punctata; Biological control
