Immune reactions of the greater wax moth, Galleria mellonella L. (lepidoptera, pyralidae) larvae under combined treatment of the entomopathogens Cordyceps militaris (L.: Fr.) Link and Beauveria bassiana (Bals.-Criv.) Vuill. (Ascomycota, Hypocreales)

The synergistic effect in mortality of the greater wax moth Galleria mellonella larvae was recorded after combined treatment with the entomopathogenic fungi Cordyceps militaris (L.: Fr.) Link and Beauveria bassiana (Bals.-Criv.) Vuill. Treatment with C. militaris resulted in development arrest and some changes in immune response (a sharp decrease in the total hemocyte counts and encapsulation rate and an increase in phenoloxidase activity in the hemolymph) which were accompanied by higher susceptibility to B. bassiana. The larvae killed by combined treatment with two pathogens were colonized only by B. bassiana. The mechanisms of synergism under combined treatment of the greater wax moth with C. militaris and B. bassiana are discussed.