Abstract
The non-persistent impact of biocontrol agents can be revealed for pest control when associated entomopathogenic fungi (EPFs) negatively affect the natural enemies. In this assay, impacts of Beauvaria bassiana (Balsamo) Vuillemin, and Metarhizium anisopliae (Metschnikoff) Sorokin were studied for their compatibility or side effects on life table parameters of an important generalist predator, Coccinella septempunctata L. The results indicated non-significant impacts of both EPFs on life table parameters of C. septempunctata. The development time (egg-adult) was not significantly different in control (69.79 days) and EPFs treated C. septempunctata (69.35–80.07 days). Both fungi did not induce any significant changes in the fecundity, adult pre-oviposition period (APOP), total preoviposition period (TPOP), and mean generation time (T) as compared to control treatment. Similarly, no difference in fecundity rate of C. septempunctata was observed after EPFs treatment (287.7–288.5) compared to control (290.0). The highest net reproductive rate (R0) occurred in control (87.05 offspring individual−1) and M. anisopliae (86.31 offspring individual−1) as compared to B. bassiana treated beetles (76.97 offspring individual−1). The age-specific fecundity curves indicated that the C. septempunctata had a similar fecundity rate in both EPFs treatments and control. This study demonstrates no significant side effects of B. bassiana and M. anispoliae on the performance and biology of C. septempunctata. Considering the compatibility of both EPFs with C. septempunctata, their combinations can be recommended in various integrated pest management programs.
Highlights
The non-persistent impact of biocontrol agents can be revealed for pest control when associated entomopathogenic fungi (EPFs) negatively affect the natural enemies
We have studied the effect of the two EPFs (B. bassiana and M. anisopliae) on the life table and demographic parameters of the ladybird beetle (C. septempunctata)
adult pre-oviposition period (APOP), total preoviposition period (TPOP), and oviposition period remained unaffected by the application of EPFs, fecundity rate of coccinellid beetle remained unchanged (P > 0.05, Supplementary Table S2) in EFPtreated (287.7–288.5 eggs) and control group (290.0 eggs)
Summary
The non-persistent impact of biocontrol agents can be revealed for pest control when associated entomopathogenic fungi (EPFs) negatively affect the natural enemies. In this assay, impacts of Beauvaria bassiana (Balsamo) Vuillemin, and Metarhizium anisopliae (Metschnikoff) Sorokin were studied for their compatibility or side effects on life table parameters of an important generalist predator, Coccinella septempunctata L. Besides resistance development in insects[7], insecticides have a suppressive impact on biocontrol a gents[8] notably through direct mortality of exposed arthropods as well as multiple sublethal physiological (neurobiology, development, adult longevity, immunology, fecundity, and sex ratio) and behavioral side effects (mobility, navigation, feeding, oviposition, and learning performance)[5] They can drive habitat changes, induce hormesis effects in key pests and modulate direct and indirect interactions among species within food w ebs[9,10,11,12,13]. Studies regarding the impact of these biopesticides including EPFs on the biological control agents naturally present in the field are still a researchable topic
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