LABOULBENIALES
Laboulbeniales are a curious group of small ascomycete fungi associated with insects. They are obligate parasites that appear to do minimal harm. More information is available at the excellent web site of Dr. Meredith Blackwell's lab.
We were fortunate to find several Asian lady beetles with Laboulbeniales at our location in November 2006. Pictures are included below.
Laboulbeniales
Hesperomyces virescens on Harmonia axyridis.
Hesperomyces virescens on beetle elytra.
An even closer look.
Microscopic view
Two detached fungal thalli
