Characterization of the entomopathogenic fungal species Conoideocrella luteorostrata on the scale insect pest Fiorinia externa infesting the Christmas tree Abies fraseri in the USA
Abstract
We characterized the entomopathogenic fungal species, Conoideocrella luteorostrata (Zimm.) D. Johnson, G.H. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora (Hypocreales: Clavicipitaceae), on the elongate hemlock scale, Fiorinia externa Ferris (Hemiptera: Diaspididae), infesting Fraser fir Christmas tree, Abies fraseri (Pursh) Poir (Pinaceae). Fraser fir Christmas trees that were cultivated in Michigan, North Carolina, and Virginia were intercepted in Florida during plant inspection. This study is based on the isolation in pure culture, and morphological and molecular characterization using a 4-locus (ITS, LSU, SSU, tef1) and represents the first record of C. luteorostrata on F. externa. In addition, we reviewed all previously reported natural enemies of F. externa in the USA, discussed their potential as biological control agents, and concluded the need to explore a new natural enemy of F. externa. We recommend using C. luteorostrata as a biocontrol agent for F. externa. We also suggest that our isolate could be a source of new uncharacterized active compounds and could be used in the biological control of whiteflies and scale insects, as demonstrated in other C. luteorostrata strains. We also discussed the importance of investigating biological control agents in pest and pathogen interception samples.
Resumen
En esta investigación nosotros presentamos la caracterización del hongo entomopatógeno Conoideocrella luteorostrata (Zimm.) D. Johnson, G.H. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora (Hypocreales: Clavicipitaceae) encontrado sobre el insecto escama Fiorinia externa Ferris (Hemiptera: Diaspididae) que infestaba árboles de navidad de la especie Abies fraseri (Pursh) Poir (Pinaceae) cultivados en Michigan, North Carolina y Virginia, y que fueron interceptados en Florida. Este estudio está basado en la obtención en cultivo puro y el estudio morfológico y molecular usando cuatro genes (ITS, LSU, SSU, tef1) y además representa el primer registro de C. luteorostrata en F. externa. En este artículo se recomienda el uso de C. luteorostrata como agente biocontrol de mosca blancas e insectos escamas, que son considerados las pestes de plantas más importantes. Este aislado caracterizado por nosotros representa una nueva fuente de metabolitos secundarios aun por caracterizar, como se ha demostrado en otras cepas de C. luteorostrata. También se discute la importancia de la exploración de agentes de control biológico presentes en cargamentos interceptados de plantas.
Key Words: biological control agents; elongate hemlock scale; interception; plant inspection
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