Abstract
The effectiveness of native entomopathogenic Beauveria bassiana isolates in the biological control of the Mediterranean fruit fly (Ceratitis capitata) was evaluated under laboratory and field condi- tions. Local isolates (P. Bv32, P. Bv39, P. Bv41, P. Bv51, and P. Bv52) of the fungus B. bassiana in- duced higher adult mortalities (77%, 65%, 65%, 65%, and 58%, respectively) than a control against the Mediterranean fruit fly under laboratory conditions. Adult mortality increased by increasing the conidial concentrations. In addition, the lethal time (LT50) for killing adult C. capitata ranged from 3.91 to 5.60 days, and the logged lethal concentration (LC50) ranged from 3.80 to 10.50, de- pending on the isolate. Furthermore, the contact application method induced significantly higher mortality than feeding alone, compared with the control. In addition, spraying peaches with a co- nidial suspension of the isolates P. Bv32 and P. Bv39 significantly reduced infestation by the fruit fly, compared with the control. The isolates grew well at a temperature range of 25˚C - 30˚C; ger- mination of the conidia occurred at 15˚C - 30˚C, and sporulation occurred at 20˚C - 25˚C. High Mediterranean fruit fly mortalities were induced at 15˚C - 30˚C, with significant differences among the isolates. However, the isolates failed to grow, germinate, or sporulate above 35˚C or below 10˚C. Under field conditions, a formula of the bioinsecticide containing the isolate P. Bv32 of B. bassiana significantly reduced peach infestation with Medfly maggots by 25% compared with the control, and by 30% when combined with a low dose of the commercial insecticide Confidor®.
Highlights
The Mediterranean fruit fly (Medfly) (Ceratitis capitata, Wiedemann, 1824; Diptera, Tephritidae) is a serious global pest, in the Mediterranean and Middle East regions
It acts as a control agent of several insect species worldwide, including Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner), Alphitobius diaperinus (Panzer), Plutella xylostella (Linnaeus), Laniifera cyclades, Prostephanus truncatus (Horn), Polyphagotarsonemus latus (Banks), and Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) [10]
Bv32 was able to significantly reduce peach infestation with Medfly maggots by 25% compared to the control, and by 30% when combined with a low dose of the commercial insecticide Confidor® (Figure 7)
Summary
The Mediterranean fruit fly (Medfly) (Ceratitis capitata, Wiedemann, 1824; Diptera, Tephritidae) is a serious global pest, in the Mediterranean and Middle East regions. Efforts have been made to reduce the use of harmful insecticides and apply safer, alternative methods to control the Medfly. Among these are the mass-trapping technique [4], the sterile insect technique [5], and biological control using several bioagents, including the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana ([Balsamo]; Phylum Ascomycota, Cordycipitaceae) [6] [7]. B. bassiana is the natural enemy of a wide range of insects and arachnids, and has a wide distribution [8] [9] It acts as a control agent of several insect species worldwide, including Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner), Alphitobius diaperinus (Panzer), Plutella xylostella (Linnaeus), Laniifera cyclades, Prostephanus truncatus (Horn), Polyphagotarsonemus latus (Banks), and Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) [10]. The safety of B. bassiana as a bio-control organism has been evaluated based on its impact on non-target insects and mammals, including humans with no safety concerns identified so far [17]
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