Paecilomyces

Paecilomyces
Scanning electron micrograph of Paecilomyces variotii
Scientific classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Fungi
Division: Ascomycota
Class: Eurotiomycetes
Order: Eurotiales
Family: Thermoascaceae
Genus: Paecilomyces
Bainier (1907)
Type species
Paecilomyces variotii
Bainier (1907)
Synonyms
  • Byssochlamys Westling (1909)
  • Corollium Sopp (1912)
  • Graphidium Lindau (1909)
  • Spicariopsis R.Heim (1939)

Paecilomyces is a genus of fungi. A number of species in this genus are plant pathogens.

Several of the entomopathogenic species, such as "Paecilomyces fumosoroseus" have now been placed in the genus Isaria, in the order Hypocreales and family Cordycipitaceae.

In 1974, R.A. Samson transferred the nematicidal species Paecilomyces lilacinus to this genus. However, publications in the 2000s (decade) indicated that the genus Paecilomyces was not monophyletic, and the new genus Purpureocillium was created to hold the taxon which includes P. lilacinum: with both parts of the name referring to the purple conidia produced by the fungus.