Pest Management Science (2013) 69, 874-882
Karla H. Ibarra-Cortés, Ariel W. Guzmán-Franco, Héctor González-Hernández, Javier Suarez-Espinosa and Jason Baverstock (2013)
Selection of a fungal isolate for the control of the pink hibiscus mealybug Maconellicoccus hirsutus
Pest Management Science 69 (7), 874-882
Abstract:
Background
Maconellicoccus hirsutus Green is a widely distributed pest of numerous crops. Although synthetic pesticides are used to control this pest, entomopathogenic fungi may provide an alternative control mechanism. Three experiments were carried out to select a fungal isolate with the potential to be used as a microbial control agent. The in vitro growth of five isolates of Beauveria bassiana sensu lato (Bals.) Vuill and Metarhizium anisopliae sensu lato (Metschn.) Sorokín, along with three isolates of Lecanicillium lecanii (Zimm.) Zare and W. Gams and Isaria fumosoroseus (Wize), was assessed at four temperatures. The in vivo sporulation of eight selected isolates was then evaluated, followed by the susceptibility of third-instar M. hirsutus to a single dose (1 × 108 conidia mL−1) of each of these isolates.
Results
Growth was greatest by isolates of I. fumosoroseus and L. lecanii at 15 and 20 °C and by isolates of M. anisopliae at 25 and 30 °C. In vivo conidium production was greatest when infected with B. bassiana isolate GHA and M. anisopliae isolate Ma65. Mortality was greatest when inoculated with M. anisopliae isolates Ma65 and Ma129.
Conclusion
Isolate Ma65 shows the best potential to be developed as a microbial control agent for M. hirsutus.
(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): Ariel W. Guzmán-Franco, Jason Baverstock
Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
evaluation - screening - selection
