Action of particle films on the biology and behavior of pear psylla (Homoptera: Psyllidae)

Particle films with different properties have been developed for arthropod pest control. Two basic film types are hydrophobic and hydrophilic films. The hydrophilic film formulations differ in the amount and kind of spreader-sticker that is incorporated into the kaolin particles. The effects of particle film type (hydrophobic versus hydrophilic) and formulation (Surround versus Surround WP) on the biology and behavior of pear psylla, Cacopsylla pyricola (Foerster), were investigated on pear in a series of laboratory studies. Scanning electron microscopy determined that the number of particles that attached to the front tibia of adult psylla differed by particle formulation but the particle sizes were fairly uniform and ranged from 3.6 to 4.5 microm in diameter. Adults had difficulty grasping particle film-treated leaves, and this effect was influenced by film type and leaf surface. Choice and no-choice tests indicated that adult settling and oviposition were very low, regardless of film type or formulation. Under no-choice conditions, adult mortality was low, in part, because the adults were able to feed through all 3% particle films, but at reduced rates. However, the mortality of adults sprayed with 3% particle film solutions ranged from 22.2 to 62.5% within 72 h after treatment, and mortalities differed most between the hydrophilic formulations. Nymphs born on particle film-treated foliage incurred high mortalities ranging from 58.9 to 82.0% by the time they reached the fifth instar and were affected most by particle film type. Nymphal development was not affected by particle film type or formulation. Egg fertility and nymphal hatch also were unaffected by particle films. These studies determined that there are a number of biological effects particle films have on pear psylla beyond the deterrence of adult settling and oviposition.     

Quantification of ultraviolet-C irradiation induced cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers and their removal in Beauveria bassiana conidiospore DNA

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation-induced DNA damage leading to entomopathogenic fungal inactivation is commonly measured by viability counts. Here we report the first quantification of UV-induced cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPD) in DNA of the entomopathogenic fungus, Beauveria bassiana. Changes in the mobility of UV-C irradiated DNA were resolved with CPD specific bacteriophage T4 endonuclease V and alkaline agarose gel electrophoresis. The maximum number of CPD formed in B. bassiana DNA in vitro by UV-C irradiation was 28 CPD/ 10 kb after 720 J/m2 dose. The maximum number of CPDs formed in B. bassiana conidiospore DNA irradiated in vivo was 15 CPD/10 kb after 480 J/m2 dose and was quantified from conidiospores that were incubated to allow photoreactivation and nucleotide excision repair. The conidiospores incubated for photoreactivation and nucleotide excision repair showed decreased number of CPD/10 kb DNA and a higher percent survival of conidiospore populations than conidiospores not allowed to repair.     

Pear transformed with a lytic peptide gene for disease control affects nontarget organism,pear psylla (Homoptera: Psyllidae)

The biology and behavior of pear psylla, Cacopsylla pyricola Foerster, on a transgenic clone of 'Bartlett' pear, Pyrus communis L., containing a synthetic antimicrobial gene, D5C1, was compared with that of a nontransgenic parental clone to determine whether there were any nontarget effects. The gene construct also contained the marker gene nptII (aminoglycoside 3'-phosphotransferase II) that encodes for antibiotic resistance to identify transformed plants. The purpose of the original transformation was to enhance pear resistance to the bacterial disease fireblight caused by Erwinia amylovora (Burr.) Winslow et al. The biology and behavior of pear psylla on a transgenic clone were compared with a nontransgenic parental pear clone in short- (< or = 7-d) and long-term (32-d) studies. Short-term studies indicated pear psylla adults preferred to settle and oviposit, and nymphs fed more and developed slightly faster, on transgenic pear compared with nontransgenic pear. In contrast, a long-term study on psylla colony development showed considerably fewer eggs, nymphs, and adults were produced on transgenic pear. Although adults reared on transgenic pear did not have weight affected, females produced fewer eggs and nymphal hatch was significantly reduced on the transgenic pear clone. Our results suggest that pear psylla biology and behavior are initially enhanced on this transgenic pear clone. However, chronic exposure of psylla populations to transformed pear plants that express the nptII marker and lytic peptide genes had detrimental effects on pear psylla reproductive biology. Field studies would be required to determine the specific effects of each gene on pear psylla biology and behavior and whether these effects would be expressed under natural conditions. The four-fold reduction in psylla population levels that resulted on this disease resistant transgenic pear line would be an added benefit to a pear integrated pest management (IPM) program. Overall, this study demonstrates that genetically altering plants to control one particular organism can have unintentional yet beneficial effects against other nontarget pest organisms in agricultural crops.     

Evaluation of three formulations of Beauveria bassiana for control of lesser mealworm and hide beetle in Georgia poultry houses

Initial screening of 12 Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) Vuillemin isolates against larvae of the lesser mealworm (Alphitobius diaperinus [Panzer]) resulted in the selection of two isolates, GHA and 707, for further testing under field conditions. Three formulations of each strain were prepared: an EC, a ground corn granular formulation, and waste product of fungal propagation containing spent media, mycelia, and unharvested conidia ("residue" formulation). Two field trials were conducted in commercial caged-layer houses in Georgia with 5-6 mo of manure accumulation and established populations of A. diaperinus and hide beetles (Dermestes maculatus DeGeer). In the first trial field, B. bassiana was applied a single time to the manure surface at either 10(9) (EC and granular cornmeal bait formulations) or 10(8) (residue formulation) fungal spores per square meter. In the second trial, two successive weekly treatments were applied, using a total of 6x the rate of application used in the first trial, Significant treatment effects were short-lived and only detected 2 wk after treatment in both trials. The granular formulations of both strains and the residue formulation of the GHA strain provided the greatest degree of suppression (60-90%) of beetle larvae. A laboratory bioassay confirmed that the granular bait was the most effective formulation. More frequent applications made earlier in the manure accumulation cycle may be necessary to achieve satisfactory control of these beetles.     

Pathogenicity of three formulations of entomopathogenic fungi for control of adult Haematobia irritans (Diptera: Muscidae)

Powder formulations of three species of entomopathogenic fungi were evaluated for their pathogenic effect upon adult horn flies, Hematobia irritans (L.) (Diptera: Muscidae). Flies were treated with conidia and blastospores of the entomopathogenic fungi Beauveria bassiana (Bals.) Vuill. (strain GHA), Metarhizium anisopliae (Metschnikoff) Sorokin (strain ESCI), and Paecilomyces fimosoroseus (Wize) Brown & Smith (strain ARSEF 3581) in the laboratory. At 4 d postexposure, flies treated with B. bassiana had an average of 98.4% mortality versus 43.5% from treatment with M. anisopliae and 13.0% from treatment with P. fiimosoroseus. At 7 d postexposure, flies treated with B. bassiana had an average of 100.0% mortality compared with 73.0% from treatment with M. anisopliae and 33.3% from treatment with P.fumosoroseus. Mean lethal time (LT50) was 2.70, 4.98, and 7.97 d for B. bassiana, M. anisopliae, and P. fiumosoroseus, respectively. Entomopathogenic fungi such as B. bassiana and M. anisopliae may have the potential for controlling populations of horn flies. These studies indicate that B. bassiana and M. anisopliae were not only pathogenic to adult horn flies, but they caused mortality in a short time.     

Susceptibility of Agrilus planipennis (Coleoptera: Buprestidae) to Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae

The susceptibility of Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire (Coleoptera: Buprestidae) to selected strains of the entomopathogenic fungi Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) Vuillemin and Metarhizium anisopliae (Metschnikoff) Sorokin was evaluated through bioassays with direct immersion or foliar exposure under laboratory conditions. Results showed that A. planipennis adults were susceptible to B. bassiana and M. anisoplae. Significant time-mortality response was found for each isolates. Isolate B. bassiana GHA killed A. planipennis adults at a faster rate compared with other isolates tested, with the lowest average time-to-death values. The LC50 values estimated under direct immersion method ranged from 1.7 x 10(5) to 1.9 x 10(7), 3.5 x 10(4) to 5.3 x 10(5), and 4.1 x 10(3) to 2.9 x 10(5) conidia/ml for B. basissiana and from 3.2 x 10(6) to 1.1 x 10(7), 4.5 x 10(3) to 4.5 x 10(5), and 1.4 x 10(2) to 1.2 x 10(5) conidia/ml for M. anisopliae at 4, 5, and 6 d after treatment, respectively. By days 5 and 6, B. bassiana GHA outperformed all other isolates tested except ARSEF 7234, followed by ARSEF 7152, 6393, and 7180. Significant concentration-mortality response was also observed for two B. bassiana GHA formulations, BotaniGard ES and Mycotrol O, and M. anisopliae F52 when insects were treated through foliar exposure. The LC50 values ranged from 114.5 to 309.6, 18.4 to 797.3, and 345.3 to 362.0 conidia/cm2 for BotaniGard, Mycotrol, and M. anisopliae F52, respectively. Based on the results of these bioassays, the efficacy of both B. bassiana GHA formulations and M. anisopliae F52 were similar against adult A. planipennis. The potential use of entomopathogenic fungi for management of A. planipennis in North America is discussed.     

Pathogenicity of Beauveria bassiana,Metarhizium anisopliae (Deuteromycotina: Hyphomycetes), and other entomopathogenic fungi against Lygus lineolaris (Hemiptera: Miridae)

The pathogenicity of 32 fungal isolates from the genera of Beauveria, Verticillium, Paecilomyces, Metarhizium, Mariannaea, and Hirsutella to second-instar tarnished plant bug, Lygus lineolaris (Palisot de Beauvois), was tested under laboratory conditions. These isolates originated from various insect hosts and substrates from France, Denmark, Austria, Italy, Turkey, Syria, and the United States. A single exposure concentration (1 x 10(7) conidia/ ml) assay for each isolate was first conducted by immersing the insects in 10 ml of a fungal suspension for 5s. These were followed by concentration-mortality assays on five of the most pathogenic isolates using four test concentrations ranging from 2 x 10(4) to 2 x 10(7) conidia/ml. B. bassiana 726 (Bemisia-passaged GHA strain) was used as a standard for comparison in all of the assays. Among the test isolates, three produced mortality not significantly different from the water control. Mortality ranged from 35 to 98% among the other 29 isolates. The LC50 values of the five most pathogenic isolates ranged from 0.8 to 5.0 x 10(5) conidia/ml. The LT50 values for these isolates ranged from 6.0 to 6.9, 3.1 to 5.1, and 2.5 to 4.0 d for concentrations of 2 x 10(5), 2 x 10(6), and 2 x 10(7) conidia/ml, respectively. Two strains of B. bassiana (ARSEF 1394,5665) and one M anisopliae (ARSEF 3540) were more pathogenic to the nymphs than the standard, having significantly lower LC50 and LT50, values. Our results demonstrated that several genera of entomopathogenic fungi have promise as microbial control agents against L. lineolaris.     

Polygenic inheritance of resistance to <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cacopsylla pyri</Emphasis> in a <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pyrus communis</Emphasis> × <Emphasis Type="Italic">P. ussuriensis</Emphasis> progeny is explained by three QTLs involving an epistatic interaction

Pear psylla (Cacopsylla pyri) causes severe damage on European pear cultivars, resulting in high yield losses. Its control has become difficult since it developed resistance to a wide range of pesticides, while the number of authorized molecules for pest control has decreased. Identifying pear psylla resistance factors should help breeding new resistant pear cultivars. We analyzed the quantitative resistance to psylla inherited from the genotype NY 10355 derived from Pyrus ussuriensis. Quantitative trait locus (QTL) analysis was carried out after counting the number of nymphs and estimating the nymphal development rate using a free-choice test performed on a large segregating progeny. We mapped two new loci for pear psylla resistance on linkage groups LG01 and LG04 of NY 10355 and confirmed the QTL previously detected on LG17. A strong epistatic interaction between the two QTLs detected on LG01 and LG17 appeared to be a major factor controlling the psylla infestation in the genotype NY 10355.     

Laboratory bioassays of entomopathogenic fungi for control of Delia radicum (L.) larvae

Laboratory soil bioassays were performed at economic field rates for in-furrow (3.85 x 10(6)spores/g dry soil) and broadcast (3.85 x 10(5)spores/g dry soil) applications with three isolates of Metarhizium anisopliae (F52, ATCC62176, and ARSEF5520) and one isolate of Beauveria bassiana (GHA). All isolates tested were infective to second instar Delia radicum (L.). The conditionally registered M. anisopliae isolate (F52) performed best killing an average of 85 and 72% of D. radicum larvae at the high and low concentration, respectively. The mean LC50 and LC95 of F52 against second instar D. radicum was 2.7 x 10(6) and 1.8 x 10(8)spores/g dry soil, respectively. The use of F52 in an integrated management program is discussed.     

Production,formulation and application of the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana for insect control: current status

This review summarizes the progress and achievements made in the last decade in mass production formulation and application technology of the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana. Reports published on relevant research from Belgium, Canada, China, Cuba, Czechoslovakia (former), France, Germany, Great Britain, Philippines, Poland, Switzerland, USA and USSR (former) regarding this topic have been covered. Much of the non‐English language literature, particularly that from Eastern European and Chinese sources, has not been translated and is inaccessible to most English or other western language readers. We have done this translation and through this review provide technological details about mass production of B. bassiana in China. Various aspects of B. bassiana growth, substrate use, production of mycelia, conidiospore and blastospores, process technologies associated with separation, drying and milling, formulation, storage and ‘shelf‐life’, and field efficacy are reviewed. Data are presented on: a modified diphasic production technology developed in China during the 1980s; comparisons between submerged fermentation, which usually produces blastospores, and those producing conidia; the use of mycelial preparations pelletized with alginate or gelatinized with cornstarch or cornstarch‐oil; and data on low or ultra‐low volume sprays of emulsifiable or oil conidial suspensions and dust formulations. B. bassiana has proved to be competitive with chemical insecticides for the annual protection of 0.8–1.3 million hectares against forest and farm insect pests in China. It is hoped that this review will help to bridge the language gap between eastern and western scientists in microbial control using B. bassiana.     

Surface hydrophobicity of Aspergillus nidulans conidiospores and its role in pellet formation

Formation of pellets by Aspergillus nidulans is primarily due to agglomeration of the fungal conidiospores. Although agglomeration of conidiospores has been known for a long time, its mechanism has not been clearly elucidated. To study the influence of the fungal conidiospore wall hydrophobicity on conidiospore agglomeration, pellet formation of an A. nidulans wild type and strains deleted in the conidiospore-wall-associated hydrophobins DewA and RodA was compared at different pH values. From contact angle measurements, RodA was found to be more important for the surface hydrophobicity than DewA. The absence of either hydrophobin led to a decrease in the relative amount of biomass present as pellets at all pH values as well as a decrease in the average size of the pellets. For all strains, an increasing alkalinity of the medium resulted in an increased pellet formation. Together with measurements of electrophoretic mobility, it is concluded that both the electrical charge and hydrophobicity of the conidiospores affects the pellet formation but that the conidiospore agglomeration process cannot be ascribed to these factors alone.     

Mortality of Delia floralis, Galleria mellonella and Mamestra brassicae treated with insect pathogenic hyphomycetous fungi

Abstract:  The susceptibility of Delia floralis eggs, neonates and larvae and the susceptibility of Galleria mellonella and Mamestra brassicae larvae to seven different Norwegian isolates of the insect pathogenic, hyphomycetous fungi Tolypocladium cylindrosporum , Metarhizium anisopliae and Beauveria bassiana , were investigated. Metarhizium anisopliae isolate ARSEF 5520 was highly virulent to G. mellonella larvae and caused 100% mortality when tested at a concentration of 3.6 × 10⁶ conidia/ml. The same M. anisopliae isolate was not virulent to D. floralis larvae. Isolates of T.cylindrosporum , were equally virulent to G. mellonella and D. floralis causing up to 36.0% mortality of larvae. It is suspected, however, that the use of grated rutabaga as a food source in the D. floralis bioassay reduced the fungal virulence of both M. anisopliae and T. cylindrosporum to D. floralis . Among three T. cylindrosporum isolates tested at a concentration of 1.0 × 10⁷ conidia/ml against eggs of D. floralis none of them reduced the hatching percentage. One isolate, ARSEF 5525 did, however, significantly reduce the longevity of neonates. Beauveria bassiana isolates ARSEF 5510 and ARSEF 5370 tested at a concentration of 1.0 × 10⁷ conidia/ml resulted in M. brassicae mortality levels of 70.0 and 55.0%, respectively. The B. bassiana isolate ARSEF 5557, however, was not virulent to M. brassicae . Among the three isolates tested against M. brassicae the two virulent isolates produced a red pigment, probably oosporein, when cultured in Sabouraud dextrose agar.     

Compatibility of the insect pathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana with neem against sweetpotato whitefly, Bemisia tabaci, on eggplant

A study on the compatibility of the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) Vuillemin (Ascomycota: Hypocreales) with neem was conducted against sweetpotato whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), on eggplant. Initially, three concentrations of B. bassiana (10⁶, 10⁷, and 10⁸ conidia ml⁻¹) and three concentrations of neem (0.25, 0.5, and 1.0%) were used as individual treatments against B. tabaci . The highest concentration of B. bassiana yielded the highest B. tabaci egg (25.2%) and nymph mortalities (73.0%), but this was not significantly different from the mortalities caused by the 10⁷ conidia ml⁻¹ suspension. Similarly, the highest concentration of neem yielded the highest egg (27.3%) and nymph mortalities (75.5%), which was also not significantly different from the 0.5% suspension. Therefore, 0.5% neem was used along with 10⁷ B. bassiana conidia ml⁻¹ suspension as an integrated pest management program against B. tabaci . The combination of B. bassiana and neem yielded the highest B. tabaci egg (29.5%) and nymph mortalities (97.2%), and the lowest LT₅₀ (2.08 day) value. Moreover, an integrated combination of B. bassiana with neem caused 27.6 and 20.5% more nymphal mortality than individual treatments of B. bassiana and neem, respectively, 7 days post-application. Thus, a combined application of an entomopathogenic fungus and a botanical insecticide may benefit from both, and it has proven effective for the control of B. tabaci on eggplant.     

越冬代梨木虱、梨二叉蚜产卵选择对子代种间竞争的影响

梨树萌芽期,越冬代梨木虱Cacopsylla chinensis和梨二叉蚜Schizaphis piricola子代共用同一食物资源,为了解其母代如何避免子代发生种间竞争,通过研究其产卵特点表明,梨二叉蚜和梨木虱在梨树枝条上的产卵位点不同。梨木虱主要在花芽枝上进行产卵,偏好于花芽芽鳞和枝条基部刻痕处产卵,以枝条基部产卵量最多,其次为顶花芽,产卵量随芽位次序依次下降,梨木虱还可在叶芽部位产卵,但数量较少;梨二叉蚜主要于叶芽枝上进行产卵,偏好在叶芽枝的第2、3芽位产卵,顶芽和枝条基部无产卵,未见梨二叉蚜在花芽部位产卵;在花芽枝上,梨木虱卵的空间生态位大于梨二叉蚜、叶芽枝上却相反,两者在梨树枝条上的产卵空间生态位呈分离状态;梨木虱和梨二叉蚜孵化的若虫数量及空间分布特点与卵一致;对梨木虱和梨二叉蚜产卵位点分析表明,其产卵位点的物理性状明显不同。本研究明确了梨木虱和梨二叉蚜母代通过不同产卵位点的选择,降低了子代种间的同位竞争。     

Identification of Metarhizium strains highly efficacious against Aedes,Anopheles and Culex larvae

Entomopathogenic fungi, such as Metarhizium anisopliae and Beauveria bassiana, have been shown to be efficacious in killing mosquito larvae of different mosquito species. The current study compared the pathogenicity and efficacy of two formulations of three fungal strains against different instars of three mosquito species with the aim of identifying the most virulent strain for use under field conditions. Three strains of Metarhizium, ARESF 4556, ARSEF 3297 and V275, were assayed against early (L_2?3) and late (L_3–4) instar larvae of Aedes aegypti, Anopheles stephensi and Culex quinquefasciatus. Two formulations of the fungi were tested, dry conidia and aqueous suspensions (i.e. ‘wet’ conidia). Effects of all combinations of conidia, mosquito species, instar, fungal strain and concentration on mosquito mortality were analysed using Cox regression and Kaplan–Meier analyses. Strain ARSEF 4556 was more virulent than ARSEF 3297 and V275, with LT₅₀ values ranging from 0.3 to 1.1 days, with Anopheles and Culex being more susceptible than Aedes. Early and late instars were equally susceptible independent of species. Although the formulation did influence mortality rates, both ‘wet’ and ‘dry’ conidia applications were highly effective in killing mosquito larvae. Viable spores were more efficacious than heat killed spores. The latter did cause mortality but only at high concentrations. Metarhizium sp. has proved to be effective in reducing survivability of all larval stages of Aedes, Anopheles and Culex under laboratory conditions. Aedes larvae were generally more tolerant than Anopheles and Culex irrespective of fungal strain.     

Susceptibility of different developmental stages of large pine weevil Hylobius abietis (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) to entomopathogenic fungi and effect of fungal infection to adult weevils by formulation and application methods

The large pine weevil, Hylobius abietis, is a major pest in European conifer forests causing millions of Euros of damage annually. Larvae develop in the stumps of recently felled trees; the emerging adults feed on the bark of seedlings and may kill them. This study investigated the susceptibility of different developmental stages of H. abietis to commercial and commercially viable isolates of entomopathogenic fungi, Metarhizium and Beauveria. All the developmental stages of H. abietis can be killed by Metarhizium robertsii, Metarhizium brunneum, and Beauveria bassiana. The most virulent isolate of M. robertsii ARSEF4556 caused 100% mortality of pupae, larvae and adults on day 4, 6 and 12, respectively. This strain was further tested against adult weevils in different concentrations (10(5)-10(8) conidia cm(-2) or ml(-1)) using two types of fungal formulation: 'dry' conidia and 'wet' conidia (suspended in 0.03% aq. Tween 80) applied on different substrates (tissue paper, peat and Sitka spruce seedlings). 'Dry' conidia were more effective than 'wet' conidia on tissue paper and on spruce or 'dry' conidia premixed in peat. The LC(50) value for 'dry' conidia of isolate ARSEF4556 was three folds lower than 'wet' conidia on tissue paper. This study showed that 'dry' conidia are more effective than 'wet' conidia, causing 100% adult mortality within 12days. Possible strategies for fungal applications are discussed in light of the high susceptibility of larvae and pupae to fungal pathogen.     

球孢白僵菌对四种十字花科蔬菜害虫的兼控潜力评价

研究了分离自小猿叶甲的一株球孢白僵菌(Beauveria bassiana(SCAU-BB01D))对十字花科蔬菜4种非目标害虫烟粉虱Bemisia tabaci、小菜蛾Plutella xylostella、黄曲条跳甲Phyllotreta striolata和菜缢管蚜Lipaphis erysimi的致病能力。结果表明,在实验室条件下,该菌株对以上4种害虫均有不同程度的侵染力。1×108孢子/mL的白僵菌悬浮液对1,2,3,4龄烟粉虱若虫的侵染率分别为84.88,86.81,55.94和38.78%;对小菜蛾2,3和4龄幼虫的侵染率为67,59和44%;对黄曲条跳甲幼虫和成虫分别为63%和60%;对菜缢管蚜成蚜和若蚜的侵染率分别为44%和35%。通过机率值分析,得出该菌株对烟粉虱1~4龄若虫的LT50分别为4.14,3.78,6.24和7.59 d;对小菜蛾2~4龄幼虫的LT50分别为7.29,8.16和9.82d;对黄曲条跳甲成虫和幼虫的LT50分别为11.22和8.11 d;对菜缢管蚜成蚜和若蚜的LT50分别为11.01和12.15 d。说明该球孢白僵菌菌株对烟粉虱、小菜蛾和黄曲条跳甲3种非目标害虫具有一定的兼控作用,在蔬菜害虫的生物防治中具一定的应用潜力。     

Responsiveness of entomopathogenic fungi to menadione-induced oxidative stress

Entomopathogenic fungi are predisposed to ROS induced by heat and UV–A radiation when outside the insect host. When inside the host, they are subject to phagocytic cells that generate ROS to eliminate invading pathogens. The oxidative stress tolerance of the entomopathogenic fungi Aschersonia aleyrodis (ARSEF 430 and 10276), Aschersonia placenta (ARSEF 7637), Beauveria bassiana (ARSEF 252), Isaria fumosorosea (ARSEF 3889), Lecanicillium aphanocladii (ARSEF 6433), Metarhizium acridum (ARSEF 324), Metarhizium anisopliae (ARSEF 5749), Metarhizium brunneum (ARSEF 1187 and ARSEF 5626), Metarhizium robertsii (ARSEF 2575), Tolypocladium cylindrosporum (ARSEF 3392), Tolypocladium inflatum (ARSEF 4877), and Simplicillium lanosoniveum (ARSEF 6430 and ARSEF 6651) was studied based on conidial germination on a medium supplemented with menadione. Conidial germination was evaluated 24 h after inoculation on potato dextrose agar (PDA) (control) or PDA supplemented with menadione. The two Aschersonia species (ARSEF 430, 7637, and 10276) were the most susceptible fungi, followed by the two Tolypocladium species (ARSEF 3392 and 4877) and the M. acridum (ARSEF 324). Metarhizium brunneum (ARSEF 5626) and M. anisopliae (ARSEF 5749) were the most tolerant isolates with MIC 0.28 mM. All fungal isolates, except ARSEF 5626 and ARSEF 5749, were not able to germinate at 0.20 mM.     

The potential for enhanced fungicide resistance in Beauveria bassiana through strain discovery and artificial selection

Our objectives were to determine the (1) natural variation in fungicide resistance among Beauveria bassiana strains, (2) potential to increase fungicide resistance in B. bassiana through artificial selection, and (3) stability of virulence in selected B. bassiana strains. Fungicides included dodine, fenbuconazole, and triphenyltin hydroxide, which are commonly used in pecan and other horticultural crops. Comparison of seven B. bassiana strains indicated some are substantially more resistant to fungicides than others; a commercial strain (GHA) was less resistant than all wild strains isolated from pecan orchards. Artificial selection resulted in enhanced fungicide resistance in the GHA strain but not in a mixed wild strain. Removal of selection pressure for three passages did not reduce the enhanced fungicide resistance. Sub-culturing with exposure to fungicides did not affect the GHA strain's virulence to pecan weevil, Curculio caryae, larvae, whereas fungicide exposure increased virulence in a mixed wild population of B. bassiana.     

Bottom-up and top-down control of pear psylla (Cacopsylla pyricola): Fertilization, plant quality, and the efficacy of the predator Anthocoris nemoralis

Herbivore population dynamics are governed both by bottom-up (plant-mediated) and by top-down (natural enemy-mediated) processes, with the potential for interaction between them. Pear psylla (Cacopsylla pyricola Foërster) is a phytophagous pest in pear orchards. Pear psylla is commonly attacked by several different natural enemies, but it may escape control, especially if fertilizer additions and new shoot production are not carefully managed. We tested the hypothesis that plant quality mediates the efficacy of an important natural enemy of pear psylla, Anthocoris nemoralis. One year-old caged Bartlett pear trees were fertilized at either low (5 mM N) or high (20 mM N) levels of nitrogen, then either psylla or psylla and Anthocoris were added to each tree. We measured plant growth, psylla population size, and Anthocoris establishment to determine effects of fertilizer and predation on psylla population dynamics. Trees receiving more N were taller, had longer total branches, a greater total number of leaves, and higher leaf nitrogen content. Psylla populations were also larger in the high N treatment. Anthocoris establishment and reproduction was positively related to the density of psylla at the time predators were added. And although psylla densities were, over-all, lower on trees where Anthocoris was present, the level to which Anthocoris suppressed psylla was not significantly affected by fertilizer level. These results indicate that the efficacy of this predator is not strongly mediated by plant quality, at least at the local (i.e. tree) scale. Minimizing fertilizer additions to the minimum level required for proper fruit set is likely to be an important feature of successful pear psylla biocontrol programs.