Applied Entomology and Zoology (2014) 49, 453-458

Fawrou Seye, Thomas Bawin, Slimane Boukraa, Jean-Yves Zimmer, Mady Ndiaye, Frank Delvigne and Frédéric Francis (2014)
Effect of entomopathogenic Aspergillus strains against the pea aphid, Acyrthosiphon pisum (Hemiptera: Aphididae)
Applied Entomology and Zoology 49 (3), 453-458
Abstract: Aphids (Homoptera: Aphididae) are sap-sucking insect pests that feed on several plants of agronomical importance. Entomopathogenic fungi are valuable tools for potential aphid control. As part of a selection process, laboratory bioassays were carried with five different concentrations of Aspergillus clavatus (Desmazières), Aspergillus flavus (Link) and Metarhizium anisopliae ((Metschnikoff) Sorokin) spores against the pea aphid, Acyrthosiphon pisum (Harris). Aspergillus isolates induced higher mortalities than M. anisopliae, which is a well-known entomopathogen in the literature. Lethal concentrations (LC₅₀ and LC₉₀) were 1.23 × 10³ and 1.34 × 10⁷ spores/ml for A. flavus, 4.95 × 10² and 5.65 × 10⁷ spores/ml for A. clavatus, and 3.67 × 10³ and 9.71 × 10⁷ spores/ml for M. anisopliae 5 days after treatment. Mycelia development and sporulation on adult cadavers were observed 48 h after incubation. The intrinsic growth rate of A. pisum decreased with increased spore concentration for all fungal strains, suggesting an increase in pathogen fitness related to a consumption of host resources. In conclusion, Aspergillus species could be useful in aphid control as pest control agents despite their saprophytic lifestyle. This is also to our knowledge the first report of A. clavatus and A. flavus strains pathogenic to aphids.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Frédéric Francis, Thomas Bawin

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
general biology - morphology - evolution

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Acyrthosiphon pisum
Metarhizium anisopliae (entomopathogen)	Acyrthosiphon pisum
Aspergillus (anamorphic genus - entomopathogens)	Acyrthosiphon pisum