Entomopathogenic potential of fungi isolated from intertidal environments against the cabbage aphid Brevicoryne brassicae (Hemiptera: aphididae)

• Published in: Biocontrol science and technology Vol. 27; no. 4; pp. 496 - 509
• Main Authors: Pacheco, J. C., Poltronieri, A. S., Porsani, M. V., Zawadneak, M. A. C., Pimentel, I. C.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Abingdon Taylor & Francis 03-04-2017; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: Agricultural practices; Aspergillus sydowii; Aspergillus versicolor; Beauveria bassiana; Biological control; Biological effects; biopesticide; Bioprospecting; Brevicoryne brassicae; cabbage aphid; Conidia; Ecosystems; Entomopathogenic fungi; Fungi; Integrated pest management; Intertidal environment; Marine environment; Metarhizium anisopliae; Microorganisms; Mortality; Parameter identification; Penicillium dipodomyicola; Pest control; Pesticides; Pests; Population growth; Sublethal effects; Terrestrial environments; Trichoderma harzianum
• ISSN: 0958-3157; 1360-0478
• DOI: 10.1080/09583157.2017.1315053

The use of biopesticides formulated from entomopathogenic fungi is a strategy utilised in integrated pest management programmes. The microorganisms used in these biopesticides are isolated from terrestrial organisms and ecosystems. However, bioprospecting in marine environments may lead to the discovery of promising fungi for pest control. In this study, marine fungi were identified and evaluated for the control of Brevicoryne brassicae. The effects of the most virulent isolate so identified on the mortality of aphids were compared to the effects of bioinsecticides that were formulated from fungal strains of Beauveria bassiana (Bovemax®) and Metarhizium anisopliae (Methamax®). Moreover, lethal and sublethal effects of this isolate on B. brassicae biological parameters were also examined. The isolates were identified as Aspergillus versicolor, Aspergillus sydowii (isolates 1 and 2), Penicillium dipodomyicola, and Trichoderma harzianum. The fungal strain A. versicolor was the most virulent fungal species, causing 85.9% mortality in B. brassicae at 24 h. The mortality rate caused by A. versicolor was similar to that caused by Bovemax® and Methamax® at concentrations of 10
5
conidia mL
−1
, and superior to that caused by Methamax® at a concentration of 10
9
conidia mL
−1
. The exposure of B. brassicae to CL
25
(0.32 × 10
3
) of A. versicolor did not affect the net reproductive rate (R
o
), average generation time (T), intrinsic rate of population growth (r
m
), and finite rate of population increase (λ). This is the first study to demonstrate that A. versicolor isolated from a marine environment is a promising candidate for the biological control of agricultural pests.