Monellia costalis (Fitch), a new host forZoophthora radicans (Brefeld) Batko andEntomophthora Planchoniana Cornu (Zygomycetes: Entomophthoraceae) in Israel

Two entomophthoraceous species,Zoophthora radicans andEntomophthora planchoniana, were found on the yellow pecan aphid,Monellia costalis, shortly after it was introduced into Israel. This aphid is a new host forZ. radicans anywhere. The fungus was isolated in pure culture and artificially inoculated on three Dipteran species:Musca domestica, Drosophila melanogaster andCeratitis capitata, as well as on the HemipteranEmpoasca sp. from pecan. The identity ofZ. radicans and some new characters,e.g. the production of two kinds of rhizoids, are discussed. The possibility of usingM. domestica as a vector for artificial spread of the fungus, as a means of biological control of various insect pests, is advocated.