# Natural occurrence of infections of the spittlebug Philaenus spumarius by the entomopathogenic fungi Zoophthora radicans and Batkoa major in Northwest Italy

## TL;DR

This paper reports the first natural infection of spittlebugs in Italy by two fungi, which could help control pest populations.

## Contribution

The first documented natural infection of Philaenus spumarius by Zoophthora radicans and Batkoa major in Italy.

## Key findings

- Zoophthora radicans and Batkoa major were identified as infecting Philaenus spumarius in northwest Italy.
- Meteorological data were recorded to understand factors influencing the fungal outbreak.
- Entomopathogenic fungi may play a key role in regulating arthropod pest populations.

## Abstract

An infection event of the spittlebug Philaenus
spumarius (Hemiptera, Aphrophoridae) has been described, for the first time, in northwest Italy. The causative agents were two entomopathogenic fungi belonging to Entomophthorales, specifically Zoophthora
radicans and, more rarely, Batkoa
major. The morphological description and molecular identification of fungi have been reported, in addition to recording meteorological data that may have affected the outbreak of the infection. When massive events are ongoing, entomopathogenic fungi really behave as determinant regulators of natural populations of arthropod pests and the possibility to stress their action in this direction should be deeply investigated.