Virulence of native isolates of entomopathogenic fungi (Hypocreales) against the "sweetpotato whitefly" Bemisia tabaci (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), including the effects of temperature and fungicides. 2022

Laura Campos-Esquivel, and Paul E Hanson, and Efraín Escudero-Leyva, and Priscila Chaverri
Escuela de Biología, Universidad de Costa Rica, 11501-2060 San José, Costa Rica.

Hypocrella, Moelleriella and related species in the Hypocreales (Ascomycota, Sordariomycetes) cause epizootics of whiteflies and scale insects in nature. However, studies on their host specificity, virulence, infection cycles, optimal development under laboratory conditions, and compatibility with other control methods, are unexplored for most species. Under laboratory conditions, the virulence of several isolates of field-collected hypocrealean fungi (Hypocrella, Moelleriella, Regiocrella, and Verticillium) was determined on Bemisia tabaci eggs and 4th instar nymphs. In addition to virulence, the effect of temperature and two commercial fungicides on growth rates and germination of the isolates was evaluated. None of the isolates infected the eggs, while M. libera, M. ochracea, and M. turbinata caused high nymphal mortality. Moelleriella libera was the most virulent isolate. At all temperatures, M. libera, Regiocrella sp. (P17H20), and Verticillium cf. pseudohemipterigenum had the highest germination and growth rates. The optimal growth temperature depended on the isolate, but at 23 °C and 25 °C, the probability of spore germination was higher for most isolates. Finally, the fungicides azoxystrobin and chlorothalonil inhibited growth rates and conidial germination at 24 and 48 h of exposure. This research produces vital knowledge on the virulence and infection cycles of poorly studied native species of entomopathogenic fungi. In addition, the results provide information on the optimal temperature for development in laboratory conditions and susceptibility to fungicides, which could contribute to future biological control strategies.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D006999 Hypocreales An order of fungi in the phylum ASCOMYCOTA that includes a number of species which are parasitic on higher plants, insects, or fungi. Other species are saprotrophic. Hypocreale
D009758 Nymph The immature stage in the life cycle of those orders of insects characterized by gradual metamorphosis, in which the young resemble the imago in general form of body, including compound eyes and external wings; also the 8-legged stage of mites and ticks that follows the first moult.
D010572 Pest Control, Biological Use of naturally-occuring or genetically-engineered organisms to reduce or eliminate populations of pests. Biological Pest Control,Biologic Pest Control,Pest Control, Biologic,Biologic Pest Controls,Biological Pest Controls,Pest Controls, Biologic,Pest Controls, Biological
D005659 Fungicides, Industrial Chemicals that kill or inhibit the growth of fungi in agricultural applications, on wood, plastics, or other materials, in swimming pools, etc. Industrial Fungicides
D006430 Hemiptera A large order of insects characterized by having the mouth parts adapted to piercing or sucking. It is comprised of four suborders: HETEROPTERA, Auchenorrhyncha, Sternorrhyncha, and Coleorrhyncha. Aleurodoidea,Cicadas,Cicadelloidea,Cicadoidea,Coccoidea,Fulgoroidea,Leafhoppers,Psyllids,Psylloidea,Scale Insects,Treehoppers,Whiteflies,Homoptera,Aleurodoideas,Cicada,Cicadelloideas,Cicadoideas,Coccoideas,Fulgoroideas,Hemipteras,Homopteras,Insect, Scale,Insects, Scale,Leafhopper,Psyllid,Psylloideas,Scale Insect,Treehopper,Whitefly
D000818 Animals Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA. Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D013696 Temperature The property of objects that determines the direction of heat flow when they are placed in direct thermal contact. The temperature is the energy of microscopic motions (vibrational and translational) of the particles of atoms. Temperatures
D014774 Virulence The degree of pathogenicity within a group or species of microorganisms or viruses as indicated by case fatality rates and/or the ability of the organism to invade the tissues of the host. The pathogenic capacity of an organism is determined by its VIRULENCE FACTORS. Pathogenicity

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