Compatibility between Calpurnia aurea leaf extract, attraction aggregation, and attachment pheromone and entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium anisopliae on viability, growth, and virulence of the pathogen

Abstract

Metarhizium anisopliae sensu stricto (ss) (Metsch.) Sorok. isolate ICIPE 07 is being developed as biopesticide for the control of ticks. In addition, leaf extracts of Calpurnia aurea Benth, and the attraction aggregation and attachment pheromone (AAAP) are being used as ticks' attractant. The three agents are being considered for use in combination in an autodissemination approach, whereby ticks that are attracted to semiochemicals are infected with the inoculum. Experiments were therefore conducted to evaluate in vitro the compatibility between C. aurea, AAAP, and the M. anisopliae on vegetative growth, conidial production, and spore viability. Calpurnia aurea leaf extract was compatible with the fungus at all the concentrations tested, whereas AAAP inhibited all the fungal growth parameters. The virulence of M. anisopliae formulated in emulsifiable extracts of C. aurea was also tested against different developmental stages of Rhipicephalus appendiculatus in laboratory bioassays. No significant differences in virulence were observed between M. anisopliae applied alone and M. anisopliae formulated in different concentrations of C. aurea leaf extracts. These results suggest that C. aurea leaf extracts is compatible with M. anisopliae and could be mixed together for "spot-spray" treatments as lowcost and environmental-friendly technology to control ticks in grazing field, while AAAP should be used separately.

Entomopathogenic fungus isolates for adult Tuta absoluta (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) management and their compatibility with Tuta pheromone

“…Moreover, males of moths, unlike females, are known to be polygynous (Allison & CardŽ, 2016), and this behaviour could significantly contribute to suppression of the pest population. Our results corroborate with that reported by Quesada-Moraga, Martin-Carballo, Garrido-Jurado, and Santiago-Alvarez, (2008) Success of autodissemination approaches depends on the compatibility of EPF with the pheromones and other insect attractants used in conjunction (Furlong et al, 1997;Nana et al, 2012;Mfuti, Subramanian, Niassy, et al, 2016;Mfuti, Subramanian, van Tol, et al, 2016;Niassy et al, 2012). Our studies revealed that the…”

“…Success of autodissemination approaches depends on the compatibility of EPF with the pheromones and other insect attractants used in conjunction (Furlong et al, 1997; Nana et al., 2012; Mfuti, Subramanian, Niassy, et al, 2016; Mfuti, Subramanian, van Tol, et al., 2016; Niassy et al., 2012). Our studies revealed that the exposure of the three potent isolates of M. anisopliae conidia to the Tuta pheromone (TUA‐Optima ® ) in Delta traps did not influence the germination of the fungal isolates even after four weeks of exposure.…”

Screening for attractants compatible with entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium anisopliae for use in thrips management

“…Most studies on compatibility of M. anisopliae have focused on agrochemicals and botanicals (Nana et al, 2012;Niassy et al, 2012b) overlooking the potential of semiochemical attractants in insect pest management (IPM). However, a study on compatibility between attractants and EPF is required before their integration in an IPM strategy.…”

“…However, the success of this technology depends on the use of powerful attractants and their compatibility with the entomopathogens. For example, the tick attraction-aggregation-attachment pheromone (AAAP) could attract adult ticks from a distance of 6 m (Nchu et al, 2009) but could not be used in combination with conidia of Metarhizium anisopliae (Metschnikoff) Sorokin (Hypocreales: Clavicipitaceae) because of inhibition of fungal conidia by the pheromone (Nana et al, 2012). Niassy et al (2012a) and Mfuti et al (2016) have also reported inhibitory effects of conidia of M. anisopliae by the semiochemical Lurem-TR in autoinoculation device in a screenhouse and field experiments.…”

Biopesticide Research and Product Development in Africa for Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security – Experiences From the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe)

“…Extensive bioprospecting has been conducted by icipe for virulent entomopathogens against both ticks and tsetse flies. Metarhizium anisopliae strain ICIPE 7 (Nchu et al, 2009(Nchu et al, , 2010aNana et al, 2012Nana et al, , 2016 and M. anisopliae strain ICIPE 30 (Maniania, 1998(Maniania, , 2002Maniania et al, 2006Maniania et al, , 2013 were identified as ideal biopesticide candidates against ticks and tsetse flies, respectively. Furthermore, M. anisopliae strain ICIPE 7 was found to be equally effective against both acaricide-resistant and -susceptible tick populations (Murigu et al, 2016).…”