Bioassay assessment of metarhizium anisopliae (metchnikoff) sorokin (deuteromycota: hyphomycetes) against Oncometopia facialis (signoret) (hemiptera: cicadellidae)

Abstract

Citrus Variegated Chlorosis (CVC) is an economically important, destructive disease in Brazil and is caused by Xylella fastidiosa and transmitted by sharpshooter insects. In this study, the efficacy of the fungus Metarhizium anisopliae in controlling the sharpshooter Oncometopia facialis was studied by bioassay conditions. In the bioassay, insects were sprayed with a suspension containing 5 X 10 7 conidia mL -1. Adults captured in the field were treated in groups of 10 in a total of 11 replications per treatment. Significant differences between the natural mortality and the mortality of insects treated with the fungus were observed 6 days after inoculations (P<0.05). These significant differences increased until 10 days after treatment. The fungus caused 87.1% mortality, with the LT50 varying from 5 to 6 days. The LC50 was 1.2 X 10 6 conidia mL -1 , varying from 7.7 X 10 5 to 2 X 10 6 conidia mL -1 . The results showed that the sharpshooter O. facialis was susceptible to the entomopathogenic action of M. anisopliae in controlled condition during bioassay.

Differential pathogenicity of Metarhizium anisopliae and the control of the sugarcane root spittlebug Mahanarva fimbriolata

“…M. anisopliae caused 87.1% confirmed mortality against Oncometopia facialis (Signoret) (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae), vector of citrus variegated chlorosis (Pria Júnior et al, 2008). With the bug Cyrtomenus bergi (Froeschner) (Hemiptera: Cydnidae), the confirmed mortality did not exceed 55% (Jaramillo and Borgemeister, 2006).…”

Histopathological events and detection of Metarhizium anisopliae using specific primers in infected immature stages of the fruit fly Anastrepha fraterculus (Wiedemann, 1830) (Diptera: Tephritidae)

“…This fungus has also been used in other countries, including Colombia, Australia, China and the United States of America, in commercial applications to control various different target insects. Metarhizium anisopliae has also shown to have good potential in bioassays against Oncometopia facialis (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) (Pria Júnior et al, 2008). Because of the great potential for this fungus as a biocontrol agent, we decided to study the infection process and the disease cycle with histological methods.…”

Chemical vs entomopathogenic control of Thaumastocoris peregrinus (Hemiptera: Thaumastocoridae) via aerial application in eucalyptus plantations

“…The horizontal transmission and dissemination of diseases in pest populations determine the pathogen efficiency being favored by greater humidities 57 . Delayed effects via horizontal transmission for entomopathogens have been reported for M. anisopliae on Oncometopia facialis (Signoret) (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) 58 and B. bassiana in Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius, 1889) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) 45 . Epizootic occurrences of Entomophtorales fungi were reported for T. peregrinus nymphs and adults in a Eucalyptus plantation in São Paulo state, Brazil 44 .…”