草地螟在5种寄主上的实验种群生命表

草地螟(Loxostege sticticalis Linnaeus)是一种世界性害虫,也是我国华北、西北以及东北地区农牧业生产的重要害虫。本试验在(26+1)℃,RH 70%~80%,L∥D=16h∥8h条件下组建了草地螟在藜、大豆、苜蓿、甜菜和向日葵叶片的实验种群生命表,以研究草地螟的危害差异性,为草地螟的防治提供基础数据。结果表明,草地螟的生长发育、繁殖和生命表参数等在不同寄主之间存在差异。藜组卵的发育历期最短(2.42d)、甜菜组的最长(3.90d);幼虫发育历期以甜菜组的最短(10.00d),苜蓿组的最长(12.63d);蛹的发育历期以向日葵组的最短(11.30d),苜蓿组的最长(16.00d);雌成虫产卵量以藜组最高(345.00粒/雌),苜蓿组最低(138.83粒/雌),雌成虫产卵期以藜组最长(10.42d)、苜蓿组最短(6.58d)。雌蛾产卵量呈现明显的动态变化:取食藜组和向日葵组雌蛾的产卵高峰出现在羽化后第8天,大豆组为羽化后第10天,苜蓿组为羽化后第7天和第9天,甜菜组为羽化后第6天和第10天。藜、大豆、苜蓿、甜菜和向日葵处理间草地螟的种群净增殖率(R0)、内禀增长率(rm)和周限增长率(λ)分别在59.772 8~169.194 1、0.097 6~0.135 2和1.102 5~1.144 8之间,其中以藜组的R0、rm和λ最大,苜蓿组的R0、rm和λ最小;平均世代周期(T)和种群加倍时间(t)的范围分别为37.508 0~41.915 8d和5.126 5~7.101 4d。综合比较5种寄主植物,认为藜是草地螟的最适宜寄主,其次分别为大豆、甜菜、向日葵、苜蓿。     

寄主植物对甜菜夜蛾种群动态的影响

为了明确甜菜夜蛾在藜、苋菜、甜菜和葱上的种群动态,通过室内试验,测定了4种寄主植物对甜菜夜蛾生长发育和繁殖等种群增长参数的影响,组建了甜菜夜蛾在供试植物上的实验种群生命表。结果表明,取食苋菜和藜的幼虫发育历期最短,而取食葱的发育历期最长(平均为16.00d)。蛹的发育历期在藜上最短(8.70d),在苋菜上最长(10.30d)。寄主植物不影响甜菜夜蛾卵的孵化率和蛹的存活率,但影响幼虫的存活率。幼虫的存活率在藜上最高(74.67%),葱上最低(26.25%)。藜、苋菜、甜菜和葱上甜菜夜蛾单雌平均产卵量分别为589.80、376.40、454.60、532.70粒。甜菜夜蛾雌蛾在藜、苋菜、甜菜、葱上的产卵呈现明显的动态变化。取食藜组和甜菜组雌蛾的产卵高峰出现在羽化后第2天,苋菜组为羽化后第3天,而葱组则为羽化后第1天和第3天。甜菜夜蛾在藜上的种群净增殖率(R0)、内禀增长率(rm)和周限增长率(λ)最高,平均世代周期(T)、种群加倍时间(t)最低。4种寄主植物中,甜菜夜蛾的适宜寄主植物依次为藜、苋菜、甜菜和葱。     

寄主植物对草地螟种群增长的影响

根据草地螟对寄主植物的选择性和转主取食的特性,研究了寄主植物对草地螟种群增长的影响.结果表明,不同寄主植物不仅影响草地螟的生长发育,而且也影响其产卵量和交配率.如幼虫取食灰菜和大豆苗时发育历期较短(约17天),存活率高,蛹重较大;雌蛾产卵量分别达到238、222 粒/头,交配率分别为75%、67%,其种群增长指数较高.而取食玉米和马铃薯苗时发育历期则延长到24天,存活率不足40%,蛹重较轻;其雌蛾产卵量分别为93、50粒/头,交配率均为40%,种群增长指数较低.转主取食有利于草地螟的生长和繁殖,而且提高其种群增长指数.如低龄幼虫取食灰菜至3龄再转食玉米或马铃薯苗,其发育历期、蛹重、产卵量和交配率均比仅取食玉米或马铃薯苗的有明显改善.寄主植物对成虫干重及甘油酯含量的影响亦表现出类似的结果.     

迁飞对草地螟生殖行为及种群暴发的影响

为明确野外种群迁飞对草地螟生殖行为的影响及其在种群大暴发中的作用,对草地螟野外迁飞和未迁飞种群的生殖特征,包括首次产卵历期(period of first oviposition,PFO)及其他生殖参数进行了系统分析。结果表明,经历迁飞的种群与未经历迁飞的种群相比,成虫产卵前期、产卵历期、PFO和寿命均显著缩短;交配次数及交配率均显著增加;但平均每雌产卵量和卵孵化率无显著变化。这说明,尽管经历迁飞的草地螟种群产卵量未显著增加,但成虫到达迁入地后将很快多次交配、产卵,且产卵前期显著提前、产卵同步性显著增加,从而加剧后代种群暴发。     

双委夜蛾在五种寄主植物上的生命表参数比较

室内26℃下,用玉米、黄豆、花生、小麦、白菜5种寄主植物的幼苗饲喂双委夜蛾幼虫,测定了不同食料下幼虫的发育历期、存活率、末龄幼虫体重、蛹重及成虫寿命和产卵量,组建了双委夜蛾种群生命表。结果表明,取食小麦的双委夜蛾幼虫发育历期最短;取食不同食料的幼虫龄期不同,取食小麦以6龄为主,其余4种寄主作物上以7龄为主;食料不同,幼虫体重、蛹重、幼虫存活率、化蛹率及成虫的羽化率差异显著。生命表参数显示,取食小麦、黄豆的双委夜蛾净增殖率和种群趋势指数最高,小麦和黄豆是双委夜蛾较适宜的取食寄主。     

不同温度下东方粘虫年龄-阶段两性实验种群生命表的构建

为明确不同温度对东方粘虫Mythimna separata(Walker)种群动态的影响,建立东方粘虫种群动态模型,利用年龄-阶段两性种群生命表得到了室内不同温度下东方粘虫种群的发育历期、存活率、繁殖力和种群生命表参数,并基于种群生命表参数预测了2个月内东方粘虫的种群动态。结果表明,东方粘虫各虫态的发育历期和产卵前期随温度的升高而显著缩短。24℃下,东方粘虫单雌平均产卵量为717.1粒,显著高于其它温度下;成虫寿命也显著高于其它温度下,且雄蛾寿命显著长于雌蛾,分别为15.3 d和13.0 d;卵孵化存活到成虫的概率、幼虫存活率和化蛹率均最高,分别为66.7%、68.9%和96.8%。内禀增长率随温度的升高而显著增加,平均世代周期则显著降低,18、21、24、27、30℃下分别为0.051、0.077、0.113、0.121、0.156 d-1和77.2、61.3、49.0、40.3、31.5 d;周限增长率也随温度的升高而增加,分别为1.05、1.08、1.12、1.13、1.17 d-1;净增殖率在24℃下为257.1,显著高于其它温度下,其它温度条件下无显著差异。表明东方粘虫在18~30℃范围内都能完成生长发育和生殖,24℃下种群存活率高、繁殖力大、世代周期较短,更适合种群增长。     

草地贪夜蛾对小麦和玉米的产卵选择性及其种群生命表

为明确草地贪夜蛾对小麦的产卵选择性及其是否对小麦安全生产构成威胁,本研究以玉米和小麦作为测试寄主,比较分析了草地贪夜蛾对两种作物不同部位的产卵选择性,并利用两性生命表方法研究了取食小麦、玉米对其生命参数的影响。结果表明:草地贪夜蛾更喜欢在玉米上产卵,其在玉米、小麦叶片、玉米和小麦茎秆上的产卵量存在显著差异(df=102,F=15.593,P<0.05),以玉米叶片背面卵块数量(7.11±1.55)块/笼最高;草地贪夜蛾取食小麦可以完成生活史,但幼虫存活率、化蛹率、羽化率和世代存活率低于取食玉米。取食玉米的幼虫发育历期为(16.31±0.15)d,显著高于取食小麦的(14.66±0.12)d,蛹期、蛹重、产卵前期、成虫寿命和世代周期无显著差异。取食小麦羽化出的雌虫寿命、平均单雌产卵量显著高于取食玉米,分别为(16.39±0.40)d、(976.31±57.21)粒和(14.64±0.32)d、(831.57±30.55)粒。生命表参数显示取食玉米的净增殖率为363.14,显著高于小麦的258.63,但内禀增长率、周限增长率和平均世代周期无显著差异。研究结果为草地贪夜蛾在小麦上的预测预报和有效防控提供了基础数据。     

温度和食料对二点委夜蛾种群生态学特征的影响

室内设置16、19、22、27、32℃5个温度梯度,用玉米、黄豆、花生、小麦4种食料饲喂二点委夜蛾幼虫,测定了不同虫态的发育历期、存活率、成虫寿命和产卵量,组建了二点委夜蛾的实验种群生命表。结果表明,取食4种食料的二点委夜蛾幼虫各虫态的发育历期均随温度的升高而缩短;食料不同各虫态的发育起点温度和有效积温差异较大;在不同温度和食料下,二点委夜蛾种群趋势指数、净增殖率、世代平均周期、周限增长率和内禀增长率等生命表指数也有所不同。22~27℃是其适宜生长发育温度范围,黄豆和小麦是其较适宜的寄主。     

草地贪夜蛾在3种麦类作物上的适生性

入侵我国的草地贪夜蛾Spodoptera frugiperda(J.E.Smith)为一种重大迁飞性农业害虫,其寄主范围广,可为害多种农作物。不同寄主植物对草地贪夜蛾的种群增长以及扩散为害有着不同影响。本研究基于年龄-龄期两性生命表理论,以小麦、大麦和燕麦3种麦类作物作为寄主植物,在室内(24±1)℃,RH (70±5)%和L//D=14 h//10 h光周期条件下,比较了3种麦类作物对草地贪夜蛾生长发育和繁殖的影响。结果表明:草地贪夜蛾在这3种麦类作物上均可顺利完成生活史。取食3种麦类作物的草地贪夜蛾幼虫发育历期和蛹期差异不显著。其中取食燕麦的草地贪夜蛾的成虫前期存活率最高,为0.82,显著高于取食小麦的0.67和大麦的0.67。此外取食燕麦的雌虫比例和雌虫产卵天数显著高于取食小麦和大麦的,取食燕麦的雌成虫个体繁殖力为(1 032.6±22.1)粒,显著高于取食小麦的(912.2±27.6)粒和取食大麦的(814.0±22.9)粒。种群生命表参数显示,取食燕麦的草地贪夜蛾种群内禀增长率(r=0.154 1 d~(-1))、净增殖率(R_0=453.98)与周限增长率(λ=1.166 6 d~(-1))均显著高于取食大麦者,但与取食小麦者差异不显著;取食大麦与取食小麦者亦无显著差异。综上所述,草地贪夜蛾在这3种麦类作物上都有相当高的适生性,其中燕麦是草地贪夜蛾最适宜的寄主植物,其次是小麦,再次为大麦。本研究为明确草地贪夜蛾对不同麦类作物的适应性提供了重要参考资料。     

不同寄主植物对草地螟的营养作用及消化酶的影响

植食性昆虫可以在取食后通过消化分解和吸收从食物中获得营养从而进行正常的生长发育。不同植物中营养物质成分在质和量上都有很大差别。本文通过用藜(灰菜)、大豆、向日葵、玉米和马铃薯叶片分别饲喂草地螟,发现取食不同寄主植物不仅显著影响草地螟幼虫的相对取食量、相对生长率和食物利用率(P0.05),而且中肠消化酶活性也不相同。幼虫取食最喜食的藜时,各项营养指标均显著高于其他处理的幼虫,其中肠消化酶活性也最高;而饲喂草地螟幼虫不喜食的马铃薯和玉米时,幼虫无论取食量、生长率还是食物利用率均显著低于其他处理组(P0.05),中肠消化酶活性较低,但是某些酶活性随取食时间的增加而升高,这可能是昆虫对不适寄主的一种适应。     

Dermestid beetles in ‘evolution Canyon’, lower Nahal Oren, Mt. Carmel, including new records for Israel

Fifteen species of dermestid beetles were recorded at ‘Evolution Canyon’ (EC), Lower Nahal Oren, Mt. Carmel, Israel. They represent ~35% of known Israeli dermestid species. The following three species were recorded for the first time in Israel:Trogoderma svriaca Dalla Torre, 1911;Ctesias svriaca Ganglbauer, 1904; andAnthrenus (s.str.) jordaniens Pic, 1934. Adults of 13 species were collected on the more solar radiated, warmer and climatically more fluctuating south-facing slope (SFS); ten species were collected on the opposite, north-facing slope (NFS), which was cooler and climatically more stable. The abundance of adult dermestid beetles was 1.9 times higher on the SFS than on the NFS (86 and 47, respectively). Species richness and abundance distribution at EC (three collecting stations on each slope and one at the valley bottom) were significantly negatively correlated with the plant cover that consisted of trees and bushes (Spearmanr _s ,P=0.007 and 0.039, respectively) and perennials (Spearmanr _s ,P=0.039 and 0.077, respectively), indicating that non-woody plants were preferred by adult dermestid beetles.     

Epidemiology of Toxigenic Fungi and their Associated Mycotoxins for Some Mediterranean Crops

Recent data on the epidemiology of the common mycotoxigenic species of Fusarium, Alternaria, Aspergillus and Penicillium in infected or colonized plants, and in stored or processed plant products from the Mediterranean area are reviewed. Emphasis is placed on the toxigenicity of the causal fungal species and the natural occurrence of well known mycotoxins (aflatoxins, ochratoxins, fumonisins, trichothecenes, zearalenone, patulin, Alternaria-toxins and moniliformin), as well as some more recently described compounds (fusaproliferin, beauvericin) whose toxigenic potential is not yet well understood. Several Fusarium species reported from throughout the Mediterranean area are responsible of the formation of mycotoxins in infected plants and in plant products, including: Fusarium graminearum, F. culmorum, F. cerealis, F. avenaceum, F. sporotrichioides and F. poae, which produce deoxynivalenol, nivalenol, fusarenone, zearalenone, moniliformin, and T-2 toxin derivatives in wheat and other small grains affected by head blight or scab, and in maize affected by red ear rot. Moreover, strains of F. verticillioides, F. proliferatum, and F. subglutinans, that form fumonisins, beauvericin, fusaproliferin, and moniliformin, are commonly associated with maize affected by ear rot. Fumonisins, were also associated with Fusarium crown and root rot of asparagus and Fusarium endosepsis of figs, caused primarily by F. proliferatum. Toxigenic A. alternata strains and associated tenuazonic acid and alternariols were commonly found in black mould of tomato, black rot of olive and citrus, black point of small cereals, and black mould of several vegetables. Toxigenic strains of A. carbonarius and ochratoxin A were often found associated with black rot of grapes, whereas toxigenic strains of A. flavus and/or P. verrucosum, forming aflatoxins and ochratoxin A, respectively, were found in moulded plant products from small cereals, peanuts, figs, pea, oilseed rape, sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, pistachios, and almonds. Finally, toxigenic strains of P. expansum and patulin were frequently found in apple, pear and other fresh fruits affected by blue mould rot, as well as in derived juices and jams.     

A survey of the genera of<Emphasis Type="Italic">Microgaster</Emphasis> latreille and<Emphasis Type="Italic">Hygroplitis</Emphasis> thomson (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Microgastrinae) from China

The genera ofMicrogaster Latreille 1804 andHygroplitis Thomson 1895 from China are presented systematically in this paper. Thirty-two species ofMicrogaster and three species ofHygroplitis are known in China. Diagnosis, character variation, distribution and host of each species among the two genera are presented, including its host and distribution. Keys to the species ofMicrogaster andHygroplitis are given. http://www.phytoparasitica.org posting Dec. 19, 2006.     

Plant Viruses Transmitted by Whiteflies

One-hundred and fourteen virus species are transmitted by whiteflies (family Aleyrodidae). Bemisia tabaci transmits 111 of these species while Trialeurodes vaporariorum and T. abutilonia transmit three species each. B. tabaci and T. vaporariorum are present in the European–Mediterranean region, though the former is restricted in its distribution. Of the whitefly-transmitted virus species, 90% belong to the Begomovirus genus, 6% to the Crinivirus genus and the remaining 4% are in the Closterovirus, Ipomovirus or Carlavirus genera. Other named, whitefly-transmitted viruses that have not yet been ranked as species are also documented. The names, abbreviations and synonyms of the whitefly-transmitted viruses are presented in tabulated form together with details of their whitefly vectors, natural hosts and distribution. Entries are also annotated with references. Whitefly-transmitted viruses affecting plants in the European–Mediterranean region have been highlighted in the text.     

Broad bean mottle virus in Morocco; curculionid vectors,and natural occurrence in food legumes other than faba bean (Vicia faba)

Broad bean mottle virus (BBMV) was transmitted from infected to healthy faba-bean plants by the curculionid weevilsApion radiolus Kirby,Hypera variabilis Herbst,Pachytychius strumarius Gyll,Smicronyx cyaneus Gyll, andSitona lineatus L. The latter appeared to be an efficient vector: acquisition and inoculation occurred at the first bite, the rate of transmission was c. 41%, and virus retention lasted for at least seven days.S. lineatus transmitted the virus from faba bean to lentil and pea, but not to the three genotypes of chickpea tested. This is the first report on the generaHypera, Pachytychius, andSmicronyx as virus vectors, and onA. radiolus, H. variabilis, P. strumarius, andS. cyaneus as vectors of BBMV.Out of 351 samples of food legumes with symptoms suggestive of virus infection, 16, 11, 19, and 17% of the samples of chickpea, lentil, pea, and common bean, respectively, were found infected when tested for BBMV in DAS-ELISA. This is the first report on the natural occurrence of BBMV in chickpea, lentil, pea, and common bean. The virus should be regarded as a food-legume virus rather than a faba-bean virus solely, and is considered an actual threat to food legume improvement programmes.     

Characterization of potato potyvirus Y (PVY) isolates from seed potato batches. Situation of the NTN, Wilga and Z isolates

A collection of 38 PVY isolates from seed potato batches, originating from several Western European countries, was characterized by using current biological, serological and molecular tools differentiating PVY strains and groups. The correlation between the three kinds of tests was good but not absolute. No single serological or PCR method was able to discriminate among the five isolate groups found. Twenty-nine isolates belonged to the PVY^N strain and six to the PVY^O strain. No PVY^C was found. Two other isolates reacted serologically like PVY^O, but were unable to elicit a hypersensitive response from the Ny_tbr gene and probably represent the PVY^Z group. At the molecular level, these two isolates showed a combination of both PVY^O and PVY^N and could be recombinants of these strains. Another isolate reacted serologically like PVY^O, but induced vein necrosis in tobacco, like PVY^N-Wilga. Some PVY^N isolates caused tuber ring necrosis in glasshouse conditions. These might belong to the PVY^NTN group. The PVY^NTN, PVY^N-Wilga and PVY^Z groups probably represent pathotypes within strains PVY^N and PVY^O, respectively. The present study also confirms previous reports showing a high genetic variation at the 5 end within the PVYN strain.     

The autumn leafroller: Phenology,damage and parasitoids in a Dutch apple orchard

The phenology of the autumn leafroller,Syndemis musculana, a local pest of apple, was studied in order to forecast larval emergence. From 1983–1986, peak flight as determined with sexpheromone traps was always between 13–18 May. The duration of embryonic development was determined at various constant temperatures and used to estimate the periods of egg hatch in these four years. Each year, most eggs should have hatched in the second decade of June.Differences in attack rates between apple cultivars seem to be explained largely by the variation in picking time. Larvae are only half grown at the beginning of harvest (cv. James Grieve), and have gone into hibernation when the latest variety (cv. Golden Delicious) is picked. Moreover, the varieties Cox's Orange Pippin and Belle de Boskoop, picked about half time, are liable to receive additional damage by caterpillars brought with the picked fruits into storage.Various hymenopterous parasites were reared from caterpillars. As the only leafroller in the orchard which hibernates as mature larva,S. musculana may promote winter survival of some parasitoids, like the eulophidColpyclypeus florus.Samenvatting De fenologie van de herfstbladroller (Syndemis musculana Hübner), een incidentele plaag op appel, werd nader bepaald met het doel het uitkomen van de eieren te kunnen voorspellen. In 1983–1986 viel de piekvlucht, bepaald met behulp van feromoonvallen, steeds tussen 13 en 18 mei.De ontwikkelingsduur van de eieren bij verschillende constante temperaturen werd gebruikt om de periode van uitkomen te schatten. De meeste eieren zullen ieder jaar in de eerste helft van juni uitkomen.Geconstateerde verschillen in schade tussen appelrassen blijken goeddeels terug te voeren op verschillen in pluktijdstip. De rupsen van de herfstbladroller zijn pas half-was als de eerste appels eind augustus geplukt worden, terwijl tegen het einde van de oogst begin oktober de meeste al in winterslaap zijn. Met name tussentijdse rassen, als Cox's Orange Pippin and Schone van Boskoop, lopen extra schade op doordat grotere rupsen met de geplukte vruchten in de kist terecht komen.Uit de rupsen werden negen, al van andere boomgaardbladrollers bekende, sluipwespen gekweekt, Omdat deze bladrollersoort, als enige in de boomgaard, als volgroeide rups overwintert, lijkt zij bij uitstek geschikt als winterwaard.This study was carried out at the Experimental Orchard De Schuilenburg, Schuilenburg 3, 4041 BK Kesteren, the Netherlands, to which address correspondence should be addressed.     

Diagnostics,genetic diversity and pathogenic variation of ascochyta blight of cool season food and feed legumes

Molecular diagnostic techniques have been developed to differentiate the Ascochyta pathogens that infect cool season food and feed legumes, as well as to improve the sensitivity of detecting latent infection in plant tissues. A seed sampling technique was developed to detect a 1% level of infection by Ascochyta rabiei in commercial chickpea seed. The Ascochyta pathogens were shown to be genetically diverse in countries where the pathogen and host have coexisted for a long time. However, where the pathogen was recently introduced, such as A. rabiei to Australia, the level of diversity remained relatively low, even as the pathogen spread to all chickpea-growing areas. Pathogenic variability of A. rabiei and Ascochyta pinodes pathogens in chickpea and field pea respectively, appears to be quantitative, where measures of disease severity were based on aggressiveness (quantitative level of infection) rather than on true qualitative virulence. In contrast, qualitative differences in pathogenicity in lentil and faba bean genotypes indicated the existence of pathotypes of Ascochyta lentis and Ascochyta fabae. Therefore, reports of pathotype discrimination based on quantitative differences in pathogenicity in a set of specific genotypes is questionable for several of the ascochyta-legume pathosystems such as A. rabiei and A. pinodes. This is not surprising since host resistance to these pathogens has been reported to be mainly quantitative, making it difficult for the pathogen to overcome specific resistance genes and form pathotypes. For robust pathogenicity assessment, there needs to be consistency in selection of differential host genotypes, screening conditions and disease evaluation techniques for each of the Ascochyta sp. in legume-growing countries throughout the world. Nevertheless, knowledge of pathotype diversity and aggressiveness within populations is important in the selection of resistant genotypes.     

Characterization of Sclerotinia minor populations in Texas peanut fields

In the summer of 2004 an epidemic of sclerotinia blight of peanut, a disease caused by Sclerotinia minor, occurred in Texas in fields where the disease was never previously detected. The disease was observed on many plants within one of the fields (>3000 disease foci), although most foci were <1 m. It is hypothesized that these observations were inconsistent with the recent introduction of a monocyclic pathogen, even if disease developed under conducive environmental conditions. The pattern of disease is most suggestive of the presence of foliar (ascospore) infections, although air temperature was above the known limits for apothecia development if the pathogen had arrived in the field in 2004 peanut seed. To further examine this epidemic, 232 isolates were collected, across a variety of spatial scales spanning this field and other Texas peanut fields, and evaluated for aggressiveness, fungicide sensitivity and genotypic diversity. There was wide variation among isolates for the phenotypic characteristics measured, but there was no evidence that a genotypically unique, highly aggressive, and fungicide resistant isolate had been introduced or evolved. The predominant genotype, TX1, which contained 154 isolates, was found in every county and field population.     

Eyespot of Cereals Revisited: ITS phylogeny Reveals New Species Relationships

Four species so far classified in Pseudocercosporella or Ramulispora (hyphomycetes) are associated with eyespot disease symptoms of cereals. Two of these have been linked to teleomorphs that were described in Tapesia. Sequence data derived from the Internal Transcribed Spacer region (ITS1, 5.8S and ITS2) of the rDNA operon showed, however, that the eyespot fungi associated with Tapesia are not congeneric with Ramulispora sorghi, the type of Ramulispora. The genus name Tapesia is now rejected in favour of the conserved name Mollisia, which appears to comprise heterogeneous fungi. Tapesia yallundae is not closely related to the type of Mollisia, M. cinerea, but clusters separately, being more closely allied to species with Cadophora anamorphs. A new holomorph genus, Oculimacula, is therefore proposed for teleomorphs of the eyespot fungi, while the anamorphs are accommodated in Helgardia gen. nov.