Effects of Photoperiods on the Growth of the Entomopathogenic Fungi, Paecilomyces japonica, During the Production of the Silkworm-dongchunghacho, Silkworm Vegetable Wasp and Plant Worm

Effects of photoperiods, 24L or 24D, on the growth of the silkworm-dongchunghacho, the silkworm vegetable wasp and plant worm, were investigated. Exposure of the fungi under the photoperiod of 24L for at least 3 days during the cultivation of the fungi after the completion of endosclerotium in the host accelerated the spore formations but the growth of the fruiting bodies was inhibited. On the contrary, the photoperiod of 24D inhibited the spore formation, but accelerated the growth of fruiting bodies without spores. Accordingly, to produce silkworm vegetable wasp and plant worm of large-size fruiting bodies with over 3 cm in length, it is indicated that recommendable light condition is a photoperiod of 24D during the cultivation until the length of the fruiting body arrives at over 3 cm.