Activity of natural occurring entomopathogenic fungi on nymphal and adult stages of Philaenus spumarius

[Display omitted] •Four entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) associated with Philaenus spumarius were found.•Lecanicillium aphanocladii shows the highest entomopathogenicity on spittlebug nymphs.•L, aphanocladii blastospores cause mortality rate similar to Beauveria bassiana (90%)•No induced mortality of EP...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of invertebrate pathology 2024-06, Vol.204, p.108078-108078, Article 108078
Main Authors: Bodino, Nicola, Barbera, Riccardo, González-Mas, Natalia, Demichelis, Stefano, Bosco, Domenico, Dolci, Paola
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Beauveria - pathogenicity
Beauveria - physiology
Biological control agent
Blastospore
Fusarium
Hemiptera - microbiology
Hypocreales - pathogenicity
Hypocreales - physiology
Insect pathogenic fungi
Insect Vectors - microbiology
Integrated pest management
Italy
Lecanicillium aphanocladii
Nymph - growth & development
Nymph - microbiology
Pest Control, Biological - methods
Xylella - physiology
Xylella fastidiosa
Citations: Items that this one cites
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:[Display omitted] •Four entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) associated with Philaenus spumarius were found.•Lecanicillium aphanocladii shows the highest entomopathogenicity on spittlebug nymphs.•L, aphanocladii blastospores cause mortality rate similar to Beauveria bassiana (90%)•No induced mortality of EPF was observed on adult stage of P, spumarius. The spittlebug Philaenus spumarius (Hemiptera: Aphrophoridae) is the predominant vector of Xylella fastidiosa (Xanthomonadales: Xanthomonadaceae) in Apulia, Italy and the rest of Europe. Current control strategies of the insect vector rely on mechanical management of nymphal stages and insecticide application against adult populations. Entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) are biological control agents naturally attacking spittlebugs and may effectively reduce population levels of host species. Different experimental trials in controlled conditions have been performed to i) identify naturally occurring EPF on P, spumarius in Northwestern Italy, and ii) evaluate the potential for biocontrol of the isolated strains on both nymphal and adult stages of the spittlebug. Four EPF species were isolated from dead P. spumarius collected in semi-field conditions: Beauveria bassiana, Conidiobolus coronatus, Fusarium equiseti and Lecanicillium aphanocladii. All the fungal isolates showed entomopathogenic potential against nymphal stages of P. spumarius (≈ 45 % mortality), except for F. equiseti, in preliminary trials. No induced mortality was observed on adult stage. Lecanicillium aphanocladii was the most promising fungus and its pathogenicity against spittlebug nymphs was further tested in different formulations (conidia vs blastospores) and with natural adjuvants. Blastospore formulation was the most effective in killing nymphal instars and reducing the emergence rate of P, spumarius adults, reaching mortality levels (90%) similar to those of the commercial product Naturalis®, while no or adverse effect of natural adjuvants was recorded. The encouraging results of this study pave way for testing EPF isolates against P, spumarius in field conditions and find new environmentally friendly control strategies against insect vectors of X. fastidiosa.
ISSN:0022-2011
1096-0805
DOI:10.1016/j.jip.2024.108078