Natural occurrence in Argentina of a new fungal pathogen of cockroaches, Metarhizium argentinense sp. nov.

The aim of this study was to search for entomopathogenic fungi that infect wild cockroaches in forest ecosystems in two protected natural areas of Argentina. Two isolates of Metarhizium argentinense were obtained and identified from wild cockroaches (Blaberidae: Epilamprinae) through the use of morphological characteristics and molecular phylogenetic analyses. This novel species was found in Argentina and is a member of the Metarhizium flavoviride species complex.