The fungus, Lecanicillium muscarium , is an entomopathogen of passionvine hopper ( Scolypopa australis )

A range of fungi were isolated from cadavers of passionvine hopper ( Scolypopa australis ) (Hemiptera: Ricaniidae) obtained in or close to kiwifruit ( Actinidia deliciosa ) orchards. Several isolates of Lecanicillium muscarium (Hyphomycetes), identified by morphological characters, were obtained which proved to be highly pathogenic to passionvine hopper nymphs. Cladograms based on internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and 5.8S rRNA genomic nucleotide sequences, with a single exception, supported the assignment of these isolates as L. muscarium , by comparison with other known isolates.