Entomopathogenic fungi naturally infecting the eucalypt bronze bug, Thaumastocoris peregrinus (Heteroptera: Thaumastocoridae), in Uruguay

Thaumastocoris peregrinus Carpintero & Dellapé (Heteroptera: Thaumastocoridae) is a sap‐sucking insect that feeds on leaves of Eucalyptus. In Uruguay, it was detected in 2008 causing significant economic losses in Eucalyptus plantations. At present, there is no efficient control for this pest; t...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of applied entomology (1986) 2019-06, Vol.143 (5), p.542-555
Main Authors: Corallo, Belén, Simeto, Sofia, Martínez, Gonzalo, Gómez, Demian, Abreo, Eduardo, Altier, Nora, Lupo, Sandra
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Beauveria bassiana
biocontrol agent
Biological control
diseases
Economic impact
Entomopathogenic fungi
Eucalyptus
Fungi
Germination
Herbivores
Heteroptera
Insects
Pathogenicity
Pathogens
Pest control
Pests
Plantations
sap‐sucking insects
Species
Spore germination
Temperature effects
Thaumastocoridae
Thaumastocoris peregrinus
Viability
Virulence
Water activity
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Summary:Thaumastocoris peregrinus Carpintero & Dellapé (Heteroptera: Thaumastocoridae) is a sap‐sucking insect that feeds on leaves of Eucalyptus. In Uruguay, it was detected in 2008 causing significant economic losses in Eucalyptus plantations. At present, there is no efficient control for this pest; thus, the use of biological control agents seems to be an environmentally friendly alternative to reduce the damage caused by this insect. The aims of this study were to isolate and identify the species of entomopathogenic fungi that naturally infect T. peregrinus in Uruguay and to characterize and select the most virulent isolates towards this pest. Individuals of T. peregrinus were collected in eight Eucalyptus plantations infested by the pest. The entomopathogenic fungi were isolated and identified by observation of their micromorphological characteristics, and their identity was confirmed by molecular methods. The pathogenicity and virulence against T. peregrinus of the isolated entomopathogenic fungi were evaluated. Isolates causing the highest insect mortality were selected to evaluate the effect of temperature and water activity on conidial viability. Entomopathogenic fungi were found in very low number with the prevalence of less than 3%. Isolates corresponded to Beauveria, Fusarium, Isaria, Lecanicillium, Paecilomyces, Pochonia, Purpureocillium and Simplicillium genera. Two species, B. pseudobassiana and L. muscarium, were first recorded in Uruguay. Among all the tested species, an isolate of B. bassiana (FI 2403) showed the highest virulence followed by an isolate of B. pseudobassiana. The isolate of B. bassiana presented the highest percentage of spore germination at the three temperatures and the highest viability at low water activities. Isolate FI 2403 was selected as a promissory candidate for the development of a commercial formulation against T. peregrinus.
ISSN:0931-2048
1439-0418
DOI:10.1111/jen.12624