Colony morphology, growth rate, conidia production, and trap formation ability of wild-type (WT) and ∆DdSTE2 mutants (C7–16,C7–17, and C7–18). (A) Colony morphology of WT and mutants on the PDA medium. (B) Colony diameter of WT and ∆DdSTE2 mutants on the PDA medium. Data represent mean ± standard deviation (SD) (n = 4). (C) Spore production per square centimeter of colonies of WT and mutants after 10 days on CMA medium. Data represent mean ± standard deviation (SD) (n = 3). (D) Traps formed by wild-type and ∆DdSTE2 mutants after co-cultivation with nematodes for 24 h. The red arrow points to the constricting ring traps. (E) Number of traps induced by nematodes. Data represent mean ± standard deviation (SD) (n = 3). In (B), two-way ANOVA analysis was conducted. In (C,E), t-test analysis was performed. * p ≤ 0.05; *** p ≤ 0.001; ns p > 0.05.