Native Entomopathogenic Fungi Isolated from Rhynchophorus palmarum (Linnaeus, 1758) in Northeast Brazil

• Published in: Insects (Basel, Switzerland) Vol. 15; no. 3; p. 159
• Main Authors: Dalbon, Viviane Araujo, Acevedo, Juan Pablo Molina, Ribeiro Junior, Karlos Antônio Lisboa, Silva, João Manoel da, Ferro, Mayra Machado de Medeiros, Negrisoli Júnior, Aldomário Santo, Fonseca, Henrique Goulart, Santana, Antônio Euzébio Goulart, Porcelli, Francesco
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland MDPI AG 27-02-2024; MDPI
• Subjects: Beauveria bassiana; Bioassays; biocontrol; Biological control; Biological effects; Developmental stages; Entomopathogenic fungi; Fungi; genetic diversity; Identification; Insecticides; Insects; invasive pest; Larval development; Microorganisms; Morphology; Mortality; Pathogenicity; Pathogens; Pest control; Pests; Phylogeny; Plantations; Rhynchophorus palmarum; Social impact; Strains (organisms); Sugarcane; Taxonomy; Brazil; genetic diversity; entomopathogenic fungi; invasive pest; biocontrol
• ISSN: 2075-4450; 2075-4450
• DOI: 10.3390/insects15030159

Both palm weevils, the South American (
) (SAPW) and the red palm weevil (
, RPW), are present in South America, affecting commercial, ornamental, and native palms. These pests oviposit and thrive on selected Arecaceae.
mainly infests coconut (
), oil palms (
), and other ornamental and native palms in America, causing a significant social impact on growers. The weevils fulfill a significant ectosymbiotic macro- and microorganism role in the first period of larval development, worsening the damage which, during this period, is not yet apparent. Palm protection in the Brazilian context suggests the use of indigenous agents for microbiological biocontrol. This research identifies three Brazilian
isolates: CVAD01, CVAD02, and CVAD06. The results suggest that the strain's impact on
can also be compared with that of the commercial strain
. Phylogenetic analysis allowed the delimitation of species of
(Hypocreales). Pathogenicity tests caused significant mortality in
. The isolates CVAD01, CVAD02, and CVADO6 showed high pathogenicity between 7 and 21 days, with mortality rates between 90 and 100%, suggesting that they may be effective biological control agents of
in the field when used, within available means, to mitigate the impact of
and
in South America.