Molecular analysis reveals two new dimorphic species of Hesperomyces (Ascomycota, Laboulbeniomycetes) parasitic on the ladybird Coleomegilla maculata (Coleoptera, Coccinellidae)

• Molecular evidence of two new species of Hesperomyces (Laboulbeniomycetes) on a new host.
• The two species have two alternate morphologies (dimorphic).
• Position specificity on the host integument was observed for the two species.
• A total of 58 original sequences were generated (34 ITS1, 5.8S, and 24 SSU).

Four morphotypes of Hesperomyces (Ascomycota, Laboulbeniomycetes) were found on the ladybird Coleomegilla maculata (Coleoptera, Coccinellidae) from Costa Rica and Ecuador. Partial SSU and ITS rDNA sequence analysis revealed that these belong to two phylogenetic species, each with a pair of morphotypes displaying position specificity. Confirmation of dimorphism in Laboulbeniales highlights the need for a thorough systematic revision of species concepts within the order. The theory of ‘position specificity’ also needs to be revisited.