Interactions among vegetable-infesting aphids, the fungal pathogenMetarhizium anisopliae(Ascomycota: Hypocreales) and the predatory coccinellidCheilomenes lunata(Coleoptera: Coccinellidae)

Abstract

Interactions among vegetable infesting aphids, the fungal pathogen Metarhizium anisopliae (Ascomycota: Hypocreales) and the predatory coccinellid Cheilomenes lunata (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) AbstractEntomopathogenic fungi are among biocontrol agents being considered for the control of aphids on a variety of crops. Predatory coccinellids, although generalist, are also among important natural enemies that must be conserved for aphid management.Laboratory studies were carried out to investigate interaction between three vegetable infesting aphids, Metarhizium anisopliae isolate ICIPE 62 and the coccinellid predator Cheilomenes lunata. At concentration of 1  10 8 conidial ml -1 , the fungus was found to cause mortality of 7.5% to C. lunata, compared to 2.5% mortality in the control at 10 days post-treatment. Female adult C. lunata to which fungus-infected aphids were offered as prey never accepted them as food source in non-choice bioassays. However, live and dead non-infected aphids were fed upon. In choice bioassay, a total of 1-3 out of 24 infected non-sporulating aphids per species (average of 0.1-0.4 aphids per arena) were consumed by 48 h starved C. lunata within a period of 60 min, but avoided sporulating cadavers. Foraging adult C. lunata enhanced the spread of conidia of M.anisopliae from infected cadavers to fourth instars A. gossypii feeding on okra (0.8-15.0% mortality), B. brassicae (3.3-15.0% mortality) and L. pseudobrassicae (0.8-14.2% mortality) on kale plants. Results of this study demonstrate compatibility between M. anisopliae and C. lunata, and could provide a sustainable strategy for effective management of aphids on crucifers and okra cropping systems.

Efficacy of aqueous and oil formulations of a specific Metarhizium anisopliae isolate against Aphis craccivora Koch, 1854 (Hemiptera: Aphididae) under field conditions

“…In previous studies, M. anispoliae has been shown to have minimal negative impacts on natural enemies (Zimmermann, ). Bayissa et al () also demonstrated the low toxicity of ICIPE 62 to the predatory coccinellid Cheilomenes lunata Fabricius, 1775; Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) under laboratory conditions, while Mweke, Ulrichs, Fiaboe, Maniania, and Ekesi () previously reported the non‐target effect of ICIPE 62 to natural enemies of aphids under field conditions. This non‐target effect presents an advantage of ICIPE 62 as a potential candidate for biopesticide development and commercialization against A. craccivora , since it is considered as one of the key criteria used in registration of biopesticide (Goettel, ; Goettel & Hajek, ; Montesinos, ).…”

Biopesticide based sustainable pest management for safer production of vegetable legumes and brassicas in Asia and Africa

“…96 Predatory coccinellids, Cheilomenes lunata were found to avoid feeding on aphids infected with entomopathogenic fungi, while foraging adult of C. lunata enhanced spread of M. anisopliae conidia between aphids which demonstrated the compatibility between the control agents. 78 With the exception of spiders, application of M. anisopliae was highly compatible with non-target organisms in onion fields as compared to dimethoate-treated plots. 97 Efficacy of entomopathogenic fungi (EPFs) varies with the resistance levels of host plants on which they are applied.…”

“…Soil application of M. anisopliae for management of fruit flies was found to have no adverse effects on non‐target natural enemies, as compared to insecticide‐treated soils where no parasitoids emerged . Predatory coccinellids, Cheilomenes lunata were found to avoid feeding on aphids infected with entomopathogenic fungi, while foraging adult of C. lunata enhanced spread of M. anisopliae conidia between aphids which demonstrated the compatibility between the control agents . With the exception of spiders, application of M. anisopliae was highly compatible with non‐target organisms in onion fields as compared to dimethoate‐treated plots …”

Interactions between the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana and the Neotropical predator Eriopis connexa (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae): Implications in biological control of pest

“…Studies about interactions between entomopathogenic fungi and other natural enemies (parasitoids and predators) have been performed worldwide (Roy et al 2006;Ormond et al 2011;Martins et al 2014;Bayissa et al 2016). However, there is very little information about interactions with other natural enemies in Coccinellidae species in general and E. connexa in particular.…”

“…(Ascomycota: Hypocreales). In contrast, Bayissa et al (2016) demonstrated that the compatibility between Metarhizium anisopliae (Metchnikoff) Sorokin (1883) (Ascomycota: Hypocreales) and the predator Cheilomenes lunata (Fabricius) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), could provide a sustainable strategy for effective management of aphids on crucifers.…”