Biological and molecular characterization of Cladosporium sp. and Acremonium zeylanicum as biocontrol agents of Aphis fabae in a tri‐trophic system

Abstract

Biological control by various natural enemies, including microbial organisms, is a potential alternative to chemical control in integrated pest management (IPM) programs (Pedigo, 2002). Due to their selectivity and safety, microbial biocontrol agents are considered economical and eco-friendly components of IPM programs. These agents are often compatible with other natural enemies (Lacey & Shapiro-Ilan, 2008). The most important group of microbial agents are entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) (Liu et al., 2017). Approximately 60% of insect pathogens are EPF (Liu et al., 2017). The mycelia of EPF can penetrate the insect integument directly, whereas other entomopathogens, including bacteria, viruses, and protozoa, need to be ingested to infect insects (Lovett & Leger, 2017). Thus, EPF can play an important role in controlling sap-feeding insects, such as hemipterans, in microbiological control programs (Broumandnia et al., 2021). Aphids are important sap-feeding pests in many crops (Blackman & Eastop, 2008). They can cause severe damage

Molecular and Morphological Characterization of Two Novel Species from Soil and Beetles (Dorcus titanus castanicolor) in Korea

“…However, the genus Xenoacremonium was established with a group of fungi previously treated as Acremonium recifei [ 36 ], including the ex-type of A. recifei (CBS 137.35) [ 22 ]. Members of the genus Acremonium , such as A. zeylanicum, have been isolated from infected citrus cottony scale ( Pulvinaria aurantia ), which belongs to the family Coccidae in the order Hemiptera [ 37 ]. The pathogenic effect of A. zeylanicum has previously been reported on the sugarcane wooly aphid ( Ceratovacuna lanigera ) in India [ 38 ] and the two-spotted spider mite ( Tetranychus urticae Koch) [ 39 ].…”