Abstract
Entomopathogenic fungi are now known to have an endophytic capacity that induces a wide range of changes in the composition of plant nutrients and/or defensive compounds. These changes could influence interactions between the plant and higher trophic levels. In this study, we evaluated the predation/parasitism efficacy of larvae of the lacewing, Chrysoperla carnea, and the braconid parasitoid, Aphidius colemani, when offered aphids that had been challenged by the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana. Aphids were either inoculated directly with a fungal suspension (lacewing bioassay only) or had been feeding on melon plants endophytically colonized by B. bassiana. Our results indicate that B. bassiana application did not significantly influence the number of aphid prey consumed by lacewings, or the time took them to consume each aphid. In a choice bioassay, C. carnea larvae preferred to feed on aphids reared on B. bassiana-colonized plants compared with control plants. In another choice assay, the number of aphids parasitized by A. colemani and their sex ratio were not influenced by whether the aphids had been feeding on B. bassiana-colonized plants or not. Our findings support the hypothesis that endophytic entomopathogenic fungi can be used in combination with other natural enemies, such as predators and parasitoids, in Integrated Pest Management programmes.
Highlights
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is an interdisciplinary approach for control of agricultural pest populations that is regulated in the European Union Member States (Directive 2009/128/EC) and in the United States (U.S Code § 136r–1)
Predation efficacy of C. carnea was affected by fungal treatment of the aphids neither in the number of prey consumed nor in the number of prey offered during the observation period (χ21df = 0.20, p = 0.66 and χ21df = 0.35, p = 0.56, respectively) (Fig. 3)
Predation efficacy of C. carnea on control aphids or aphids that had been reared on melon plants endophytically colonized by B. bassiana
Summary
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is an interdisciplinary approach for control of agricultural pest populations that is regulated in the European Union Member States (Directive 2009/128/EC) and in the United States (U.S Code § 136r–1). The aim is to retain pest populations below damage thresholds while simultaneously reducing reliance on chemical pesticides In this way, the development of insecticide resistance is minimized and hazards to non-targets, including humans and the environment, are reduced (Stern et al 1959; Smith 1978; Metcalf and Luckmann 1994; FAO 2018). The development of insecticide resistance is minimized and hazards to non-targets, including humans and the environment, are reduced (Stern et al 1959; Smith 1978; Metcalf and Luckmann 1994; FAO 2018) Biological control agents, such as entomophagous arthropods (predators and parasitoids) and. Entomopathogenic fungi are a diverse assemblage of species that infect insect and mite hosts. They are present in almost all terrestrial ecosystems and habitats and play many different ecological roles (Lovett and St. Leger 2017). They have been found in the soil, the phylloplane and most recently as plant endophytes and as rhizosphere-competent microorganisms (Quesada-Moraga et al 2006; Meyling and Eilenberg 2007; Vega et al 2009; Vega 2018)
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