Entomopathogenic fungi as biological control agents of Phyllocoptruta oleivora (Prostigmata: Eriophyidae) under greenhouse conditions
Abstract
The citrus rust mite, Phyllocoptruta oleivora Ashmead (Acari: Eriophyidae), is a major pest of citrus, affecting both quality and yield. Although entomopathogenic fungi such as Beauveria bassiana (Bals.-Criv.) Vuill. (Cordycipitaceae), Metarhizium anisopliae (Metschn.) Sorokīn (Clavicipitaceae), and Isaria fumosorosea Wize (Cordycipitaceae) have been used for insect and mite control, the last 2 have never been applied to control citrus rust mite. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of 3 concentrations of B. bassiana, M. anisopliae, and I. fumosorosea on mortality and growth rate (r) of P. oleivora populations under greenhouse conditions. The fungi were isolated from agricultural soil samples. Mobile stages of P. oleivora were collected from leaves of commercial Valencia orange groves. At a concentration of 1 × 108 conidia mL-1, B. bassiana and M. anisopliae caused > 60% mortality in P. oleivora populations, whereas mortality due to I. fumosorosea never exceeded 50%. There was a significant inverse relationship between the percent mortality and the LT50. Application of B. bassiana resulted in the slowest growth rate of P. oleivora populations, which was 10.5 × slower than the control population receiving no fungus application. Our results demonstrate that B. bassiana and M. anisopliae are efficient in control of P. oleivora populations under greenhouse conditions, whereas I. fumosorosea produces moderate control.
Resumen
El ácaro tostador de los cítricos, Phyllocoptruta oleivora Ashmead (Acari: Eriophyidae), es una plaga importante, que afecta tanto la calidad como el rendimiento. Hongos entomopatógenos como Beauveria bassiana (Bals.-Criv.) Vuill. (Cordycipitaceae), Metarhizium anisopliae (Metschn.) Sorokīn (Clavicipitaceae), e Isaria fumosorosea Wize (Cordycipitaceae), se han utilizado para el control de insectos y ácaros, los 2 últimos nunca se han aplicado contra el ácaro tostador de los cítricos. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar el efecto de 3 concentraciones de B. bassiana, M. anisopliae, e I. fumosorosea sobre la mortalidad y la tasa de crecimiento (r) de poblaciones de P. oleivora en condiciones de invernadero. Los hongos fueron aislados de muestras de suelo agrícola. Se colectaron estados móviles de P. oleivora de hojas de naranjos comerciales variedad Valencia. Las concentración de 1 × 108 conidias mL-1, B. bassiana y M. anisopliae causaron > 60% de mortalidad en las poblaciones de P. oleivora, mientras que la mortalidad debida a I. fumosorosea no excedió el 50%. Hubo una relación inversa significativa entre el porcentaje de mortalidad y el LT50. La aplicación de B. bassiana dio como resultado una tasa de crecimiento más lenta en las poblaciones de P. oleivora: 10.5 × más lenta que la población control que no recibió aplicación de hongos. Nuestros resultados demuestran que B. bassiana y M. anisopliae son eficientes en el control de poblaciones de P. oleivora en condiciones de invernadero, mientras que I. fumosorosea produce un control moderado.
Key Words: citrus rust mite; biocontrol; Beauveria bassiana; Metarhizium anisopliae; Isaria fumosorosea; mean lethal time
View this article in BioOne https://doi.org/10.1653/024.102.0203
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