| Neozygites | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Fungi |
| Division: | Entomophthoromycota |
| Class: | Entomophthoromycetes |
| Order: | Entomophthorales |
| Family: | Neozygitaceae |
| Genus: | Neozygites Witlaczil [1] |
Neozygites is a genus of fungi in the family Neozygitaceae, which is in the order Entomophthorales. [2] Commonly used as a pest controller for mites, aphids, and thrips, the genus was described in 1885 by E. Witlaczil. [3]
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Neozygites fresenii has been found in Europe, the Americas, and South Africa. [4]
The main hosts of Neozygites species are mites and aphids; Neozygites fresenii epizootics have been found in colonies of Aphis gossypii in Arkansas, causing a notable reduction in populations of them. Several species of the genus were first described on spider mites, namely N. adjarica, N. floridana, N. tetranychi, and N. tanajoae; Neozygites tanajoae is known to exclusively affect spider mites on Venezuelan and Colombian manioc. Its pest-controlling properties have seen N. tanajoae used in Benin to dissipate Mononychellus tanajoa populations. [5] The red spider mite is a known host of the epizootics of N. floridana, being affected by the fungus on tomatoes in Brazil. [6] N. floridana is known to have the ability to significantly lessen the populations of red spider mites, but gratuitous fungicide use can negatively impact the fungus. [7] The genus is also known to affect thrips. [8]
In 1987, a new genus Thaxterosporium was proposed, consisting only of N. turbinatus. In 1991, the genus was synonymized with Neozygites. [8] The genus Neozygites consists of the following 20 species: [9] [10] [11]
In addition to these species, two are yet to be classified: [9]