Effect of constant and cyclical temperatures on the mortality of Triatoma infestans (Klug) (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) treated with Beauvaria bassiana (Bals.) Vuill. (Hyphomycetes)

Abstract

Neotropical Entomology 34(4): 675-679 (2005) Efecto de Temperaturas Constantes y Cíclicas sobre la Mortalidad de Triatoma infestans (Klug) (Hemiptera:Reduviidae) Tratada con Beauveria bassiana (Bals.) Vuill. (Hyphomycetes) RESUMEN -En el presente trabajo se analizó la mortalidad de Triatoma infestans (Klug) tratada con Beauveria bassiana (Bals.) Vuill. bajo diferentes régimenes de temperatura. Los porcentajes de mortalidad a 26ºC y a 22ºC fueron más altos mientras que los más bajos se registraron a 34ºC constantes. Las combinaciones 26/34ºC o 34/26ºC (12:12h) fueron significativamente diferentes a las de 18/26ºC o 26/ 18ºC mostrando que es mayor el efecto de altas temperaturas (34ºC) sobre la mortalidad e indicando también que con una temperatura extrema alta unida a una óptima de 26ºC, decrece la susceptibilidad de T. infestans a la infección por parte de B. bassiana. Se observó que la exposición a temperaturas extremas (18ºC o 34ºC) junto a la óptima de 26ºC en ciclos de 8:8:8h reduce la mortalidad de T. infestans. Con alternancia de 6h (6:6:6:6h) se observó que sólo la mortalidad de la combinación 34/30/26/22°C fue similar a las de 22ºC y 26ºC constantes. La ocurrencia de temperaturas extremas durante el primer tramo afectan menos la mortalidad si el período en que ocurren no es tan largo (p.ej. 6h). Sin embargo, si a una temperatura extrema inicial le sigue una caída abrupta (34/22/26/30ºC), la mortalidad se ve significativamente reducida. Los resultados indicarían que es preferible realizar las aplicaciones en el campo al atardecer, para evitar la influencia negativa de cambios bruscos de temperaturas o temperaturas elevadas durante las primeras etapas críticas del ciclo infeccioso de los hongos entomopatógenos.PALABRAS CLAVE: Regímen fluctuante, germinación, hongo entomopatógeno ABSTRACT -The mortality of Triatoma infestans (Klug) treated with Beauvaria bassiana (Bals.) Vuill. under several temperature regimes was analyzed. Mortality rates were highest at 26ºC and 22ºC and lowest at constant 34ºC. The combinations 26/34ºC or 34/26ºC (12:12h cycles) were significantly different from the combinations 18/26ºC and 26/18ºC, showing that high temperatures (34ºC) affect mortality most significantly. The combinations also indicate that when an extreme high temperature is associated with an optimal temperature of 26ºC, the susceptibility of T. infestans to B. bassiana infection decreases. Exposure to extreme temperature (18ºC or 34ºC) associated with an optimal temperature of 26ºC in 8:8:8h cycles, reduces the mortality of T. infestans. In cycles of 6:6:6:6h, only the mortality associated with the 34/30/26/22ºC combination was similar to the combinations at constant 22ºC and 26ºC. Extreme temperatures during the first stage affect mortality less than when this period is not longer than 6h. Mortality decreases significantly when an extreme high initial temperature is followed by an abrupt fall (34/22/26/30ºC). Our results indicate that Beauvaria bassiana should be applied to the field in the late afternoon to avo...

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