A new report on mycobiota associated with Ropalidia marginata paper nests

Abstract

Twenty four fungal species were isolated from the paper nests of common Indian paper wasp Ropalidia marginata. The genus Aspergillus was dominant while Penicillium recorded next in the paper nests. Among Aspergillus spp., A. niger was most abundant (14%), followed by A. flavus (7%). Among Penicillium spp., P. citrinum occurred high (9%) followed by P. oxalicum (2%). The nest material analysed by GC-MS revealed that it was predominantly wax and that the components were mainly hydrocarbons.