Biochemical analysis and pathogenicity of entomopathogenic fungi to Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Liviidae)

Abstract

Asiatic citrus psylla, Diaphorina citri, Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Liviidae) is an economic pest of citrus groves and a vector of the bacterium, Candidatus Liberibacter spp., one of the causative agents of citrus greening. In order to estimate the infectivity of six different isolates of Beauveria bassiana, Metarhizium anisopliae and Isaria fumosorosea, fungal bioassay was performed on the adults of D. citri. Adults of D. citri were treated individually with 1 × 10 5 , 1 × 10 6 , 1 × 10 7 , 1 × 10 8 , 2 × 10 8 spores/mL fungal concentrations by the immersion method. Subsequent to fungal bioassay, treated D. citri were used to determine the levels of esterase and glutathione S-transferases (GST) enzymes over a period of 3-7 days. The mortality results suggest that I. fumosorosea isolates (If-02) caused 82.2% mortality on the seventh day of treatment. However, B. bassiana isolate (Bb-08) with lowest LC 50 (1.4 × 10 7 spores/mL) proved to be highest potential isolate against D. citri. Biochemical determination of esterase and GST activity assay showed significant differences in activities after infection of fungi. Significantly high activity of esterase was observed by Bb-01 (27.0 unit per mg protein) on the seventh day, while Ma-11.1 and If-2.3 (16.9 and 36.3 unit per mg protein) on the third day post treatment. However, maximum GST's activity was showen by isolates Bb-08,Ma-M 2 and If-2.3 (37.6, 1.40 and 10.9 unit per mg protein) on the third day. The current investigation will help to explore the relations between the insect defense system and entomopathogenic fungi. Moreover, the determination of enzymatic activities will be useful for selecting the most pathogenic isolates.

First record of Aspergillus nomiae as a broad-spectrum entomopathogenic fungus that provides resistance against phytopathogens and insect pests by colonization of plants

“…Currently, more than 1,000 species of EPF have been reported, including commercially applied Metarhizium anisopliae , Beauveria bassiana , Isaria fumosorosea, and Metarhizium rileyi ( Kim Jae et al, 2013 ; Grijalba Erika et al, 2018 ; Jiang et al, 2019 ; Malinga Lawrence and Mark, 2021 ; Wang et al, 2021 ; Acharya et al, 2022 ; Faria et al, 2022 ; Im et al, 2022 ), as well as literature reported Paecilomyces var iotii , Hirsutella citriformis , and Akanthomyces lecanii ( Gandarilla-Pacheco et al, 2013 ; Cortez-Madrigal et al, 2014 ; Hussain et al, 2018 ; Naeem et al, 2020 ). However, the resources of EPF are insufficient due to their host specificity, which could affect their commercial production and application ( Wichadakul et al, 2015 ; Zhang et al, 2020 ; Islam et al, 2021 ).…”

Virulence and transgenerational effects of Metarhizium anisopliae on Oxycarenus hyalinipennis

“…[16][17][18][19][20][21] To overcome these problems, an eco-friendly and long-lasting control strategy, for example entomopathogenic fungi (EPF), is the basic need of time. 22 EPF are cosmopolitan and effective biocontrol agents with no adverse effects on the environment. 23 In the past, different species of EPF have been reported as effective biocontrol agents for various insect pests, [24][25][26][27][28][29][30] including O. hyalinipennis.…”

“…In previous studies, O. hyalinipennis has developed resistance to major insecticide groups, such as pyrethroids, organophosphates, spinosyns, avermectins, pyrroles, neonicotinoids and insect growth regulators 16–21 . To overcome these problems, an eco‐friendly and long‐lasting control strategy, for example entomopathogenic fungi (EPF), is the basic need of time 22 . EPF are cosmopolitan and effective biocontrol agents with no adverse effects on the environment 23 .…”

First Record of Aspergillus fijiensis as an Entomopathogenic Fungus against Asian Citrus Psyllid, Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Liviidae)

“…In recent years, a large number of entomopathogenic fungi have been reported for the control of D. citri. Paecilomyces variotii, Hirsutella citriformis and Akanthomyces lecanii have the ability to infect D. citri [27][28][29][30]. In addition, B. bassiana and M. anisopliae, which have been commercially produced and applied, can also be used for the control of D. citri.…”