Revista de la Sociedad Entomológica Argentina (1999) 58, 307-311

Rosario Alzugaray, Maria S. Zerbino, Silvina Stewart, Adela Ribeiro and Jorgen Eilenberg (1999)
[Epizootiology of Entomophthoralean fungi. Use of Zoophthora radicans (Brefeld) Batko (Zygomicotina: Entomophthorales) for the biological control of Epinotia aporema (Wals.) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) in Uruguay]
Revista de la Sociedad Entomológica Argentina 58 (1-2), 307-311
Abstract: Epinotia aporema (Walsingham, 1914) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) is the major pest species damaging forage legumes and soybeans in Uruguay. The larvae feed on the flower buds and growing structures of birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus), red clover (Trifolium pratense) and alfalfa (Medicago sativa) causing important losses in seed production. In 1989, a monitoring program was started for adults using light trap and in 1991, a monitoring program was conducted for larvae through weekly samples of stems. The sampled larvae were incubated individually until pupation or death. The occurrence of an insect pathogenic fungus, Zoophthora radicans (Brefeld) Batko (Zygomycetes: Entomophthorales) was reported in 1992 among the incubated larvae. Since then, a research program developed aims to obtain further basic information about this new fungus-host interaction, leading to an evaluation of the prospects for the use of Z. radicans for control of E. aporema. Prevalence in the field showed high variation between years. Lab trials were conducted to multiply the pathogen "in vitro" and to evaluate the effect of climatic conditions on the growth and sporulation of the fungus. The isolate no. 2377 was selected causing high mortality among every larval stage in 2-7 days. The fungus showed the best radial growth at 25° C and the highest spore production at lower temperatures. Mortality attained "in vitro" varied between 9-54 percentage depending on temperature. Natural subtrates were assessed for multiplication of the pathogen. Mycelium growth was only observed on common and parboiled rice media in a period of time comparable to its growth on SDAY (around 14 days). High mortality rates were achieved from spore shower discharged by the inoculated rice.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
(original language: Spanish)
Database assignments for author(s): Jørgen Eilenberg, Maria S. Zerbino

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

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Epinotia aporema	Alfalfa/lucerne (Medicago sativa)	Uruguay
	Epinotia aporema	Birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus)	Uruguay
	Epinotia aporema	Soybean (Glycine max)	Uruguay
	Epinotia aporema	Clover (Trifolium)	Uruguay
Zoophthora radicans (entomopathogen)	Epinotia aporema		Uruguay