Characterization of entomopathogenic fungi from vineyards in Argentina with potential as biological control agents against the European grapevine moth Lobesia botrana

Abstract

Biological control by entomopathogenic fungi is a possible alternative to chemical insecticides. As the grapevine moth Lobesia botrana (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), recently introduced in Argentina, is now the major pest in most of the vineyards in the country despite quarantine regulations, native entomopathogenic fungi could be a preferable alternative to current synthetic insecticides. Thus, the aim of this study was to characterize native fungus strains isolated from 45 soil samples, using larvae of L. botrana as bait insect, and infected arthropods from the wine-growing region in the west of Argentina. Sixteen strains were identified, belonging to two species: four strains to Beauveria bassiana (Hypocreales: Cordycipitaceae) and 12 strains to Metarhizium robertsii (Hypocreales: Clavicipitaceae). Based on their physiological features, M. robertsii strains collected from the west region of Argentina seem to be the most tolerant to the high temperatures specific to this region. Therefore, being well adapted to Argentinean climate conditions, some of the native M. robertsii could be proposed as biological control agents against L. botrana.