Parasitology Research (2012) 111, 1473-1480

Isabele C. Angelo, Éverton K.K. Fernandes, Thiago C. Bahiense, Wendell M.S. Perinotto, Patricia S. Golo, Ana Paula R. Moraes and Vânia R.E.P. Bittencourt (2012)
Virulence of Isaria sp. and Purpureocillium lilacinum to Rhipicephalus microplus tick under laboratory conditions
Parasitology Research 111 (4), 1473-1480
Abstract: Rhipicephalus microplus (Canestrini) is an ectoparasite accountable for great economic losses. The use of entomopathogenic fungi to control arthropods has shown promising responses. The present study evaluated the virulence of Isaria farinosa (Holmsk.) Fr., Isaria fumosorosea (Wize) Brown and Smith, and Purpureocillium lilacinum (=Paecilomyces lilacinus) (Thom.) Samson to engorged females, eggs, and larvae of R. microplus. There were four treatment groups (10⁵, 10⁶, 10⁷, and 10⁸ conidia ml^-1) and the control group (water and Tween 80, 0.1 % v/v). The treatment was based on immersion of the specimen in 1 ml of the suspension or control solution. The study observed changes in egg viability and larval mortality after treatment. The results showed that I. farinosa, P. lilacinum, and I. fumosorosea caused alterations in the biological parameters of R. microplus ticks. I. fumosorosea presented the greatest potential to control R. microplus engorged females in vitro, causing a 49 % decrease in nutritional index. All fungal isolates presented significant reduction in the egg production index. I. farinosa reduced the hatching percentage if the eggs were treated with the two highest conidial concentrations. All conidial concentrations of I. fumosorosea were able to reduce the hatching percentage significantly. All tested isolates showed pathogenicity toward unfed R. microplus larvae. As far as we know, this is the first study reporting the effect in vitro of I. farinosa, I. fumosorosea, and P. lilacinum to different developmental stages of R. microplus ticks.
(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): Vânia Rita Elias Pinheiro Bittencourt, Patricia Silva Golo

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
evaluation - screening - selection

---

Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Rhipicephalus microplus
Cordyceps fumosorosea (entomopathogen)	Rhipicephalus microplus
Cordyceps farinosa (entomopathogen)	Rhipicephalus microplus
Purpureocillium lilacinum (entomopathogen)	Rhipicephalus microplus