Biocontrol Science and Technology (2000) 10, 479-485

Richard Meadow, John D. Vandenberg and Anthony M. Shelton (2000)
Exchange of inoculum of Beauveria bassiana ( Bals. ) Vuill. ( Hyphomycetes) between adult flies of the cabbage maggot Delia radicum L. ( Diptera: Anthomyiidae)
Biocontrol Science and Technology 10 (4), 479-485
Abstract: Adult cabbage maggots (Delia radicum L.) were exposed to dry conidia of isolates of several hyphomycetous fungi by placing them in a centrifuge tube containing conidia, then releasing them into small screened plastic cages. Mortality was assessed after 48, 120 and 160 h. A Beauveria bassiana isolate (P89 from Musca domestica) caused the highest mortality after 48 h, resulting in 100% mortality and 100% infection. Isolate L90 (B. bassiana) and one Metarhizium anisopliae isolate (ARSEF 2521) also caused fatal infection in more than 50% of the flies. To investigate exchange of inoculum, flies were placed in a small container with a dry powder formulation containing B. bassiana (Mycotrol^®) on the bottom. The flies were removed to small screened cages containing untreated flies. This experiment confirmed the ability of flies to pass inoculum to other flies. In a similar experiment, one treated fly was placed in each cage with one untreated fly. When each fly died, one untreated fly was added to each cage after the dead fly was removed. This study showed that fly to fly transfer of fatal doses of inoculum was possible for a series of at least six flies. When female flies were exposed to the inoculum, then transferred to small cages containing males and an oviposition substrate, no eggs were laid. Further studies are being conducted to develop a system where flies attracted to a trap will be inoculated with the fungus and spread it to a field population.
(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): Richard Meadow, John D. Vandenberg

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
population dynamics/epizootiology

---

Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Delia radicum
Beauveria bassiana (entomopathogen)	Delia radicum