Hirsutella minnesotensis sp. nov., a new pathogen of the soybean cyst nematode

Hirsutella minnesotensis, a new fungal species, was isolated and described from second-stage juveniles of the soybean cyst nematode, Heterodera glycines. The fungus can be distinguished from other species of Hirsutella by the strongly swollen base of conidiogenous cells and verrucose, globose conidia. The fungus is similar to Hirsutella thompsonii in colony morphology and conidium characteristics, but differs from Hi. thompsonii in that the new species has a strongly swollen base, a conspicuous swelling near the apex of conidiogenous cells, and larger conidia. The fungus is a pathogen of He. glycines and may have potential as a biological control agent.