Pandora (fungus)

Pandora is a genus of fungi within the order Entomophthorales of the Zygomycota.

It is best known by its representative Pandora neoaphidis, which acts as an obligate pathogen in various species of aphids. It is a widespread species that is often found to be the most common fungal insect pathogen on the local aphid community (e.g. in surveys from Argentina, Slovakia & China). It has therefore been the subject of study for biological control.

There is limited evidence that the ladybird Harmonia axyridis, which is invasive in America and Europe, has an advantage over native ladybird species because it feeds more on Pandora-infested aphid cadavers.