Diversity Of Entomopathogenic Fungi Research Articles

Entomopathogenic Fungi in Forest Habitats of Ixodes ricinus.

(1) Background: In addition to the microclimate, host availability, and tick microbiota, soil environmental microorganisms can affect tick populations. This study aimed to (1) determine the presence and diversity of entomopathogenic fungi (EF) in forests, where ticks are abundant, and (2) estimate the effectiveness of the isolated EF strains against Ixodes ricinus. (2) Methods: EF were isolated using the trap insect method from soil collected from tick sites. A bioassay was used to estimate the effectiveness of EF against ticks. (3) Results: The presence of EF was found in all tested forest habitat types. A total of 53 strains belonging to the genera Metarhizium, Beauveria, and Isaria were isolated. All the six strains subjected to the bioassay showed potential efficacy against both adult and nymphal stages of I. ricinus; however, the strains differed in their effectiveness. The most effective isolate against I. ricinus was the soil environmental strain of Metarhizium anisopliae. (4) Conclusion: The study indicates that tick habitats can be the source of entomopathogenic fungi, which have a lethal effect on ticks, as demonstrated in preliminary laboratory tests with I. ricinus. However, for practical use, extensive field tests and further research on application methods and long-term effects are necessary to develop effective and sustainable tick management strategies.

Diversity and Abundance of Entomopathogenic Fungi and Their Hosts in Rice Fields of Kembang Mertha Village-Bolaang Mongondow

The diversity of entomopathogenic fungi in an area can provide information about the potential for controlling insect pests. This is important to do to find suitable biological control agents to reduce the impact of using synthetic pesticides. This research was conducted to look at the diversity and abundance of entomopathogenic fungi and their host insects, so that potential entomopathogenic fungal and pest species were identified in the rice fields of Kembang Mertha Village. The results obtained were four species of host insects, namely Leptocoarisa oratorius, Schotinopara coarctata, Ricelia dorsalis and Nilaparvata lugens, and three species of entomopathogenic fungi, namely Beauveria bassiana, Metarhizium sp. and Hirsutella sp.. The host insect diversity indices in the medium category were S. coarctata (1.10) and N. lugens (1.04) and for entomopathogenic fungi, the three fungal species found were in the medium category respectively B. bassiana (1.31), Metarhizium sp. (1.07) and Hirsutella sp. (1.05). The highest abundance index values ​​for host insects were S. coarctata (84.62%) and N. lugens (50%), while for pathogenic fungi were Hirsutella sp. (43.73%).

Entomopathogenic Fungi in the Soils of China and Their Bioactivity against Striped Flea Beetles Phyllotretastriolata

The present research aims to explore the occurrence and diversity of entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) in cultivated and uncultivated lands from different provinces of China and to search for EPF against Phyllotreta striolata. In this study, first, the EPF biodiversity from the soil of four provinces (Hunan, Hubei, Henan and Hebei) was surveyed. There were 302 fungal isolates obtained from 226 soil samples collected from croplands (114), arbor (79), grasslands (97) and fallow land (12); 188 EPF isolates were identified as 11 genera. The data indicate that Hubei Province has the greatest EPF diversity, with a Shannon Evenness Index (SHEI) value of 0.88. Here, the grassland, arbor and cropland had an EPF diversity with SHEI values of 0.81, 0.86 and 0.76, respectively, while the fallow land had the highest SHEI value of 1.00, which suggests that cultivation by humans affected the count and richness of soil fungi: the less human activity, the more kinds of fungi found. Finally, the pathogenicity of 47 fungal strains against the adult P. striolata was determined. Isaria javanica (IsjaHN3002) had the highest mortality. In conclusion, this study reports the EPF distribution and biodiversity in the soil from four provinces in China, showing that the amount and type of fungi in the soil varied by region and vegetation and that soil was one of the resources for acquiring EPF. The potential of I. javanica as a biocontrol must be studied further.

Diversity of Entomophatogenic Fungi from Gunung Tukung Gede Nature Reserve

Background: Entomopathogenic fungi are one of the potential biodiversity assets to be used as biological control agents. However, information about the diversity of entomopathogenic fungi, especially in the Gunung Tukung Gede (GTG) nature reserve is very limited. The purpose of this study was to provide information on the biodiversity of entomopathogenic fungi in the GTG nature reserve. Methods: The entomopathogenic fungi were explored from 3 different stations: primary forest, secondary forest and disturbed forest. Entomopathogenic fungi were isolated identified both macroscopically and microscopically. Results: A total of 15 specimens of entomopathogenic fungi consisting of 5 families and 8 types of fungi successfully isolate. The entomopathogen fungi were Basidiobolus haptosporus, Beauveria bassiana., Metarhizium aniesophalie, Paecilomyces sp., Aschersonia sp., Aspergillus sp. 1, Aspergillus sp.2, and Septobasidium sp. These fungi infect insect hosts from the orders Lepidoptera, Hemiptera and Homoptera. The index of the diversity of entomopathogenic fungi at 3 consecutive stations is 1.5495; 1.3322; and 0.6365 (medium category). Conclusions: The GTG Nature Reserve has a unique diversity of entomopathogenic fungi. Therefore, further research is needed in order to determine the diversity and potential utilization of the existing entomopathogenic fungi.

DISTRIBUCIÓN DE HONGOS ENTOMOPATÓGENOS EN SUELOS DE UNIDADES DE PRODUCCIÓN BOVINA Y FACTORES ASOCIADOS A SU PRESENCIA EN EL TRÓPICO MEXICANO

<strong>Background. </strong>Ticks are one of the main threats that affect cattle production in Mexico. In the ecosystems, these parasites are naturally regulated by microorganisms such as entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) and bacteria, wich are capable of causing them disease and death. However, some studies mention that the effects of climate change and wrong practices in the management of grasslands, trees and animals affect the distribution of these beneficial organisms in the livestock areas of Mexican tropic. <strong>Objectives.</strong> 1) To determine the distribution of EPF in cattle farm soils from the Mexican Tropics, 2) to identify the sites within the cattle farms with greatest presence and richness of EPF and 3) to identify factors associated with their presence. <strong>Methodology.</strong> Soil samples of seventy-two cattle farms from twelve municipalities of Veracruz, México, with high prevalence of ectoparasites, were collected. <em>Galleria mellonella</em> larvae were used as bait in order to isolate EPF from soils; then, fungi were identified by molecular methods. <strong>Results.</strong> Four genera of EPF were isolated and <em>M</em>. <em>anisopliae</em> was the most prevalent. Live fences soils showed the greatest EPF richness. The mountainous region (OR=2.25), cattle farm altitude (401-600 meters above sea level) (OR=3.81) and cattle farms where they do not use herbicides (OR=3.66) are factors associated to the presence of EPF in cattle farms soils (<em>P</em> < 0.05). <strong>Implications.</strong> Information about distribution and diversity of EPF, as well as the knowledge of factors that may affect them, will help to understand their importance as natural regulators of pests in cattle farms, to regulate agronomic activities to optimize their survival and help to design strategies for isolation of native EPF with potential bio-regulatory effects of ectoparasites. <strong>Conclusions.</strong> The isolation and richness of EPF in soils destined for the production of grazing cattle where <em>Metarhizium anisopliae</em> was the most isolated is reported for the first time in Mexico. The live fences soils presented the greatest wealth of EPF and some management and geographic characteristics were identified as factors associated with the fungal presence.

Occurrence and diversity of entomopathogenic fungi (Beauveria spp. and Metarhizium spp.) in Australian vineyard soils

Entomopathogenic Ascomycetes: Hypocreales fungi occur worldwide in the soil; however, the abundance and distribution of these fungi in a vineyard environment is unknown. A survey of Australian vineyards was carried out in order to isolate and identify entomopathogenic fungi. A total of 240 soil samples were taken from eight vineyards in two states (New South Wales and Victoria). Insect baiting (using Tenebrio molitor) and soil dilution methods were used to isolate Beauveria spp. and Metarhizium spp. from all soil samples. Of the 240 soil samples, 60% contained either Beauveria spp. (26%) or Metarhizium spp. (33%). Species of Beauveria and Metarhizium were identified by sequencing the B locus nuclear intergenic region (Bloc) and elongation factor-1 alpha (EFT1) regions, respectively. Three Beauveria species (B. bassiana, B. australis and B. pseudobassiana) and six Metarhizium species (M. guizhouense, M. robertsii, M. brunneum, M. flavoviride var. pemphigi, M. pingshaense and M. majus) were identified. A new sister clade made up of six isolates was identified within B. australis. Two potentially new phylogenetic species (six isolates each) were found within the B. bassiana clade. This study revealed a diverse community of entomopathogenic fungi in sampled Australian vineyard soils.

Entomopathogenic fungi in Portuguese vineyards soils: suggesting a ‘Galleria-Tenebrio-bait method’ as bait-insects Galleria and Tenebrio significantly underestimate the respective recoveries of Metarhizium (robertsii) and Beauveria (bassiana)

Entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) are the natural enemies of insect-pests. However, EPF recoveries can be influenced by the soil habitat-type(s) incorporated and/or the bait-insect(s) used. Galleriamellonella (GM) as bait-insect, i.e. ‘Galleria-bait’, is arguably the most common methodology, which is sometimes used solely, to isolate EPF from soils. Insect baiting using Tenebriomolitor (TM) has also been employed occasionally. Here 183 soils were used to estimate the functional diversity of EPF in Portuguese Douro vineyards (cultivated habitat) and adjacent hedgerows (semi-natural habitat), using the TM bait method. Moreover, to study the effect of insect baiting on EPF recovery, 81 of these 183 soil samples were also tested for EPF occurrences using the GM bait method. Twelve species were found in 44.26% ± 3.67% of the total of 183 soils. Clonostachysroseaf.rosea was found in maximum soils (30.05% ± 3.38%), followed by Beauveriabassiana (12.57% ± 2.37%), Purpureocilliumlilacinum (9.29% ± 2.14%) and Metarhiziumrobertsii (6.01% ± 1.75%). Beauveriapseudobassiana (P < 0.001), C.roseaf.rosea (P = 0.006) and Cordycepscicadae (P=0.023) were isolated significantly more from hedgerows, highlighting their sensitivities towards agricultural disturbances. Beauveriabassiana (P = 0.038) and M.robertsii (P = 0.003) were isolated significantly more using GM and TM, respectively. Principal component analysis revealed that M.robertsii was associated both with TM baiting and cultivated habitats, however, B.bassiana was slightly linked with GM baiting only. Ecological profiles of B.bassiana and P.lilacinum were quite similar while M.robertsii and C.roseaf.rosea were relatively distant and distinct. To us, this is the first report on (a) C.cicadae isolation from Mediterranean soils, (b) Purpureocilliumlavendulum as an EPF worldwide; and (c) significant recoveries of M.robertsii using TM over GM. Overall, a ‘Galleria-Tenebrio-bait method’ is advocated to study the functional diversity of EPF in agroecosystems.

Effect of the entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium anisopliae against Mosquitos (Aedes aegypti) in vitro conditions

Entomopathogenic fungi are promising new biological tool for the control of pests and pose no risk to man and non-targeted organisms. Isolation and identification of native entomopathogenic fungi in a field is necessary for the successful control of pest in a particular region. Experiment was conducted to evaluate the occurrence of entomopathogenic fungi from different soil and their efficacy in the control of mosquitos. Using rain beetle, the fungi were isolated by insect baiting method using PDA. Morphological identification of the isolated fungi showed Metarhizium anisopliae. The result of the study showed a variation in the occurrence of the Metarhizium anisopliae at the three locations. The pathogenicity of the isolated fungi was tested on Aedes eagyptii larvae in three different concentrations (1.8.103, 3.6.103 and 4.5.103 conidia/ml). The result showed a progressive increased in larval mortality with an increased number of days. The mortality varied from 4 to 100%. Rapid larval mortality was observed two days after spraying, mortality was highest and relatively uniform at higher concentration. No mortality was observed in the control treatments. The test showed LC50 value of 14.5.103, 12.9.103, 1.4.103, 0.4.103, 0.4.103 and 0.1.103 conidia/ml after exposure for 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 days respectively. The outcome of this research showed variation in the diversity of entomopathogenic fungi in different soil location. Metarhizium anisopliae look promising in the control of the Aedes eagyptii mosquito larvae and should be tested in the field, or this could be the starting point for a genetic experiment.

Hypocrealean fungi associated with populations of Ips typographus in West Carpathians and selection of local Beauveria strains for effective bark beetle control

In Slovakia, a diversity of entomopathogenic fungi (Ascomycota, Hypocreales) associated with outbreaks of Ips typographus was studied in 81 localities and as many as 113 in vitro cultures of five entomopathogenic species were isolated from infected individuals: Beauveria bassiana (87 isolates), B. pseudobassiana (14 isolates), B. caledonica (6 isolates), Lecanicillium lecanii (4 isolates) and Isaria farinosa (2 isolates). B. pseudobassiana is recorded in natural populations of I. typographus for the first time. Biological properties of selected Beauveria isolates, including colony growth, biomass production, conidia yield and pathogenicity to I. typographus adults, were studied in a series of laboratory bioassays and much intra- and interspecific variability was detected. B. bassiana isolates produced biomass or conidia at significantly higher rate than B. pseudobassiana and B. caledonica isolates. Two B. bassiana isolates were selected as the most virulent to bark beetle adults, demonstrating a mean LC50 ranging from 0.72 to 2.05 × 106 conidia ml−1, and were qualified as promising candidates for biocontrol of I. typographus. Their virulence was significantly higher than that of the mycoinsecticides Boverol®, which was used as a reference strain in the virulence bioassays.

Diversity of Entomopathogenic Fungi in Argane Forest Soil and Their Potential to Manage Mediterranean Fruit Fly (Ceratitis capitata)

Diversity of Entomopathogenic Fungi in Argane Forest Soil and Their Potential to Manage Mediterranean Fruit Fly (Ceratitis capitata)

Occurrence of entomopathogenic fungi in tejocote (Crataegus mexicana) orchard soils and their pathogenicity against Rhagoletis pomonella.

To determine the abundance and diversity of entomopathogenic fungi in tejocote orchard soils and evaluate their ability to infect Rhagoletis pomonella Walsh., the main pest of tejocote. Surveys were made in two locations in Mexico state and two in Puebla state. Soil from selected locations was baited for entomopathogenic fungi with Galleria mellonella (L.). All isolates were identified morphologically to genus level and to species level using Bloc and elongation factor 1-α gene sequence information, respectively; Beauveria bassiana ((Bals.-Criv.) Vuill.), B. pseudobassiana (S.A. Rehner & Humber) and Metarhizium robertsii (J.F. Bisch., Rehner & Humber) were found, with B. bassiana being the most abundant and widely distributed. Pathogenicity of five selected B. bassiana isolates and three M. robertsii isolates was evaluated against larvae and pupae of R. pomonella. All isolates infected larvae resulting in an average mortality of 35%. Pupae were not susceptible; however, adults emerging from inoculated pupae did die due to infection. At least three species of entomopathogenic fungi are present in the soil from tejocote orchards, with B. bassiana being the most abundant and widely distributed. Rhagoletis pomonella larvae were more susceptible to infection than pupae. Our study has produced new information about the distribution of entomopathogenic fungi in cultivated soils from this region of North America, contributing to a better understanding of their natural occurrence and underpinning the development of biological control approaches.

Occurrence and diversity of entomopathogenic fungi in cultivated and uncultivated soils in Pakistan

AbstractThe distribution of entomopathogenic fungi in various geographical areas of Punjab, Pakistan, is poorly understood. The present study was planned to explore the occurrence and diversity of entomopathogenic fungi from soils collected from cultivated and non‐cultivated habitats. The detailed survey of different habitats (crop fields, fruits, vegetables, forests) was conducted to collect soil samples and the associated fungi were isolated using Galleria bait method. Among 210 soil samples, 168 fungal isolates were recovered and identified, with 98 from forests, 32 from vegetables, 30 from field crops and 8 from fruits. The major entomopathogenic fungi recovered from these samples were Beauveria bassiana, Metarhizium anisopliae, Paecilomyces lilacinus, B. brongniartii, P. chlamydosporia and Lecanicillium attenuatum. The diversity of entomopathogenic fungi was greater in soil samples from forests compared to crop fields, vegetables and fruits, respectively. The geographical attributes (altitude, longitude, latitude) greatly influenced the occurrence of entomopathogenic fungi with the highest number of isolates found from >600 m altitude, 33°–34′N latitude, and 73°74′E longitude from soil samples. The results of the surveys clearly indicated that the entomopathogenic fungi are distributed in the soils which may be used in successful IPM programs in future.

Diversity of entomopathogenic fungi near leaf-cutting ant nests in a neotropical forest, with particular reference to Metarhizium anisopliae var. anisopliae

We investigated the prevalence of entomopathogenic fungi associated with leaf-cutting ant colonies in a small area of tropical forest in Panama. There was a high abundance of Metarhizium anisopliae var. anisopliae near the colonies. Beauveria bassiana was also detected in the soil, Aspergillus flavus in dump material, and six Camponotus atriceps ants were found infected with Cordyceps sp.. Based on a partial sequence of the IGS region, almost all of the M. anisopliae var. anisopliae isolates fell within one of the three main clades of M. anisopliae var. anisopliae, but with there still being considerable diversity within this clade. The vast majority of leaf-cutting ants collected were not infected by any entomopathogenic fungi. While leaf-cutting ants at this site must, therefore, regularly come into contact with a diversity of entomopathogenic fungi, they do not appear to be normally infected by them.