In the present study, a cassava starch‐glycerol film with reinforcement of Pinus sp. nanofibers (NFC) incorporated with tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) essential oil (TTO) were prepared by casting technique. The physical (barrier, mechanical, and optical), structural, and antimicrobial properties of the films were evaluated and compared with the control films. Films with 0.08% TTO exhibited a significant increase in the tensile strength (TS) while films with 1.5% TTO showed a decrease in TS, suggesting a crosslinking effect. The addition of 1.5% TTO reduced the water vapor permeability values in 43% comparing to the control films. Analysis obtained by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy showed bands related to the interaction between TTO and matrix for films with 1.5% TTO and 0.3% NFC. This film was effective against Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans which could be applied for several packaging purposes. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2020, 137, 48726.

This study reports the first assessment of endophytic fungi isolated from strawberry leaves and selection of isolates for the control of Duponchelia fovealis, a new pest of strawberries. A total of 400 strawberry leaves of the cultivar 'Albion' were collected in four commercial farms. Leaves were disinfected, cut in fragments, and placed on Petri dishes containing potato dextrose agar media with tetracycline and incubated for 30 days. Following this time, 517 fungal colonies were isolated, and thirteen genera were identified: Cladosporium, Aspergillus, Nigrospora, Fusarium, Trichoderma, Chaetomium, Alternaria, Paecilomyces, Penicillium, Ulocladium, Bipolaris, Diaporthe, and Phoma. Eight isolates belonging to the genera Aspergillus, Diaporthe, Paecilomyces, and Cladosporium were selected for pathogenicity bioassays against third instar larvae of D. fovealis. Isolates of Paecilomyces induced the highest mortality rates.

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Duponchelia fovealis (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) is an invasive species that has had a large impact on strawberry crops in Brazil. Pesticides have had limited effectiveness and the use of biological control agents to improve its management is the most appropriate approach. The aim of this study was to evaluate the pathogenicity and virulence of entomopathogenic fungi—isolated from soil—against Duponchelia fovealis larvae under laboratory and greenhouse conditions. Pathogenicity screenings were performed for twenty isolates from Beauveria bassiana, Beauveria caledonica, Isaria javanica, Metarhizium anisopliae, and Lecanicillium sp. against third instar larvae of D. fovealis at the concentration of 109 conidia·mL−1. Lethal concentration (LC50) and lethal time (LT50) were determined for the most pathogenic isolates and for one commercial mycoinsecticide. Mortality rates varied from 10 to 89%. The isolates B. bassiana Bea1, Bea110, Bea111 and I. javanica Isa340 were the most pathogenic. The most virulent isolates were B. bassiana Bea111 and I. javanica Isa340 with LC50 values of 2.33 × 106 and 9.69 × 105 conidia·mL−1, respectively. Under greenhouse conditions, the efficacy of LC50 of the isolates I. javanica Isa340 and B. bassiana Bea111 were 45% and 52%, respectively. Our results indicate that these isolates are strong candidates for application in the control of D. fovealis. This study is the first evaluation of soil-borne entomopathogenic fungi against D. fovealis.

The European pepper moth, Duponchelia fovealis (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), is a key pest in strawberry production. Entomopathogenic fungi (EF) and parasitoids of the Trichogrammatidae family are effective biological control agents of this pest with the potential to be used jointly for improved efficacy. This study aims to evaluate the susceptibility of Trichogramma atopovirilia and Trichogramma pretiosum to two Beauveria bassiana strains (B2 and B3) and two commercial bioinsecticides (Bovemax® and Methamax®) by applying them to D. fovealis eggs in pre- and post-parasitism periods. Pre-parasitism application of B2 and B3 did not affect the percentage of D. fovealis eggs parasitized by either Trichogramma species, except in the case of T. atopovirilia when eggs were sprayed with B3 at 1.5 × 105 conidia mL−1 (16.7% less than the control). In contrast, eggs sprayed with 1.5 × 108 conidia mL−1 of the commercial bioinsecticides were not parasitized by any Trichogramma species. Overall, the EF tested reduced the parasitism rate, adult emergence, and longevity of Trichogramma adults by less than 30% in all cases. The adverse effects of the B. bassiana strains and commercial products on the biological traits of both Trichogramma species were minimal, meaning that these agents can be used jointly in D. fovealis control strategies.

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