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Abstract Chalcones are intermediate products in the biosynthesis of flavonoids, which possess a wide range of biological properties, including antimicrobial and anticancer activities. The introduction of a chlorine atom and the glucosyl moiety into their structure may increase their bioavailability, bioactivity, and pharmacological use. The combined chemical and biotechnological methods can be applied to obtain such compounds. Therefore, 2-chloro-2′-hydroxychalcone and 3-chloro-2′-hydroxychalcone were synthesized and biotransformed in cultures of two strains of filamentous fungi, i.e. Isaria fumosorosea KCH J2 and Beauveria bassiana KCH J1.5 to obtain their novel glycosylated derivatives. Pharmacokinetics, drug-likeness, and biological activity of them were predicted using cheminformatics tools. 2-Chloro-2′-hydroxychalcone, 3-chloro-2′-hydroxychalcone, their main glycosylation products, and 2′-hydrochychalcone were screened for antimicrobial activity against several microbial strains. The growth of Escherichia coli 10,536 was completely inhibited by chalcones with a chlorine atom and 3-chlorodihydrochalcone 2′-O-β-d-(4″-O-methyl)-glucopyranoside. The strain Pseudomonas aeruginosa DSM 939 was the most resistant to the action of the tested compounds. However, chalcone aglycones and glycosides with a chlorine atom almost completely inhibited the growth of bacteria Staphylococcus aureus DSM 799 and yeast Candida albicans DSM 1386. The tested compounds had different effects on lactic acid bacteria depending on the tested species. In general, chlorinated chalcones were more effective in the inhibition of the tested microbial strains than their unchlorinated counterparts and aglycones were a little more effective than their glycosides.

Chalcones, secondary plant metabolites, exhibit various biological properties. The introduction of a chlorine and a glucosyl substituent to the chalcone could enhance its bioactivity and bioavailability. Such compounds can be obtained through a combination of chemical and biotechnological methods. Therefore, 4-chloro-2′-hydroxychalcone and 5′-chloro-2′-hydroxychalcone were obtained by synthesis and then glycosylated in two filamentous fungi strains cultures, i.e., Isaria fumosorosea KCH J2 and Beauveria bassiana KCH J1.5. The main site of the glycosylation of both compounds by I. fumosorosea KCH J2 was C-2′ and C-3 when the second strain was utilized. The pharmacokinetics of these compounds were predicted using chemoinformatics tools. Furthermore, antimicrobial activity tests were performed. Compounds significantly inhibited the growth of the bacteria strains Escherichia coli 10536, Staphylococcus aureus DSM 799, and yeast Candida albicans DSM 1386. Nevertheless, the bacterial strain Pseudomonas aeruginosa DSM 939 exhibited significant resistance to their effects. The growth of lactic acid bacteria strain Lactococcus acidophilus KBiMZ 01 bacteria was moderately inhibited, but strains Lactococcus rhamnosus GG and Streptococcus thermophilus KBM-1 were completely inhibited. In summary, chalcones substituted with a chlorine demonstrated greater efficacy in inhibiting the microbial strains under examination compared to 2′-hydroxychalcone, while aglycones and their glycosides exhibited similar effectiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Acta Agriculturae Slovenica is the property of Biotechnical Faculty of the University of Ljubljana and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

BACKGROUND: Sweet potato whitefly (Bemisia tabaci) is one of the most destructive pests to an extensive range of crops and vegetables. Pesticide‐dependent management programs have led to severe health problems, including pesticide poisoning and cancer in human beings, as well as pesticide resistance in insect pests. Entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) are considered safe and highly effective against many pests. Therefore, identifying the pathogenicity and virulence of EPFs against Bemisia tabaci is a valuable addition to the management of their infestations. In this study, we investigated the efficacy of conidia suspensions of Aschersonia aleyrodis, Isaria fumosorosea, Beauveria bassiana, and Akanthomyces muscarius (= Lecanicillium muscarium) against nymphal stages of Bemisia tabaci in cucumber seedlings under both optimal and suboptimal conditions. RESULTS: All of the EPFs demonstrated significant ovicidal effects, with the highest cumulative mortalities observed in Aschersonia aleyrodis (96.46%) and I. fumosorosea‐treated (94.60%) seedlings against host eggs and crawlers. Similarly, in the L4‐instars experiment, Aschersonia aleyrodis and I. fumosorosea were the most efficient, resulting in cumulative mortalities of 94.82% and 94.75%, respectively. However, Bemisia tabaci cumulative mortalities on seedlings treated with Akanthomyces muscarius (78.36%) and Beauveria bassiana (85.90%) were also significantly different from untreated seedlings (7.10%). Under suboptimal relative humidity (RH) conditions (≤ 45% RH), Aschersonia aleyrodis exhibited greater tolerance to harsh conditions, causing a significantly higher infection rate in L1–L2 nymphs (~92%) compared to the approximately 32% infected young nymphs observed in I. fumosorosea‐treated seedlings. CONCLUSION: All the selected EPF were more effective against the young nymphal instars. Our results also highlight the efficacy of Aschersonia aleyrodis under suboptimal conditions. © 2023 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Entomopathogenic fungi are important component for regulation of pests in ecosystem. Isaria fumosorosea, as one of the entomopathogenic fungi, was reported to successfully controlled the outbreaks of forest defoliators attacked larch (Larix kaempferi) plantation in Furano, Japan and beech (Fagus crenata) forest in Hachimantai, Japan. Instead of semi-cultured method, in this paper, a culture-independent method based on DNA using qPCR was developed for specific detection and quantification of I. fumosorosea directly from soil DNA extract using specific primer. The primer IFU5821F/IFU6061R was designed and found to be the best primer pair for I. fumosorosea. Standard soil DNA was obtained with strong relationship and good fitting with five levels (R2= 0.989, E = 0.58). I. fumosorosea could not be detected from all soil samples which was possibility caused by low density of the fungi. The qPCR was likely a rapid and specific method to detect the fungus from soil.

Biological control nowadays is rapidly growing to reduce the incessant use of chemical insecticides for control of various insect pests. In the present study, entomopathogenic fungi are used to determine insecticidal activity against walnut blue butterfly under laboratory conditions. The experimental setup was completely randomized design (CRD) with two treatments along with control with different concentrations of entomopathogenic fungi. The bioassay was carried out by spraying second larval instar of Chaetoprocta odata [Hewitson 1865] with 1, 2, 3 & 4 % conidial concentration of Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) Vuill. (1912) and Isaria fumosorosea Wize (1904). The results of this study showed that all the concentrations showed remarkable pathogenic activity but I. fumosorosea was highly pathogenic and recorded the highest mortality rate of 93.33 % after 144 hours compared to B. bassiana where 73.33 % mortality was reported. LC50 values for B. bassiana (4.15) was higher than that of I. fumosorosea (3.34) which indicates that I. fumosorosea was more effective against C. odata population. Among different concentrations of I. fumosorosea, 4 % concentration was the most effective with lowest LC50 values.

The citrus mealybug, Planococcus citri, is an insect pest of greenhousegrown horticultural crops. Citrus mealybug causes plant damage when feeding on plant leaves, stems, flowers, and fruits, resulting in a substantial economic loss. Insecticides are applied to manage citrus mealybug populations in greenhouse production systems. Anecdotal information suggests that mixing entomopathogenic fungal-based insecticides with insect growth regulators may be effective for managing citrus mealybug populations under greenhouse conditions. Consequently, we conducted two experiments in a research greenhouse at Kansas State University (Manhattan, KS, USA) in 2023. The experiments were designed to determine the efficacy of three commercially available entomopathogenic fungal-based insecticides [Beauveria bassiana Strain GHA (BotaniGard®), B. bassiana strain PPRI 5339 (Velifer™) and Isaria fumosorosea Apopka Strain 97 (Ancora®)] when mixed with three insect growth regulators [azadirachtin (Azatin®O), novaluron (Pedestal®), and pyriproxyfen (Distance®)] on citrus mealybug feeding on coleus, Solenostemon scutellarioides, plants. The entomopathogenic fungal-based insecticides alone or when mixed with the insect growth regulators were not effective in managing citrus mealybug populations, with <20% mortality during each experiment. In addition, all coleus plants treated with the entomopathogenic fungal-based insecticides had a white, powdery residue on the leaves. Our study demonstrates that entomopathogenic fungal-based insecticides, even when mixed with insect growth regulators, are not effective in managing citrus mealybug populations in greenhouses, which is likely because the environmental conditions (temperature and relative humidity) are not optimal for conidial germination and hyphal infection to occur. Therefore, entomopathogenic fungal-based insecticides have limited use for managing insect pests in greenhouse production systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Acta Agriculturae Zhejiangensis is the property of Acta Agriculturae Zhejiangensis Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Abstract Background Eublemma amabilis Moore (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is an important pest of lac insect, Kerria spp. (Hemiptera: Tachardiidae: Coccoidea) causing up to 20–25% damage of lac and its encrustation, which has immense industrial utilities. Extensive field monitoring in Regional Lac Insect Field Gene Bank (RLIFGB) resulted in collection of a large number of naturally occurring entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) infected insect cadavers on the lac encrustation of host plant, Flemingia semialata. Pathogenicity test under laboratory conditions showed its efficacy on E. amabilis larvae. Molecular characterization of this EPF by 18S rDNA identified it as Isaria fumosorosea (Wize) (accession number, MH414514.1). Results Being a potent EPF, biological parameters viz., conidial density and sporulation were determined and its pathogenicity were evaluated against eggs, larvae and pupae of E. amabilis at different spore dilution under laboratory conditions. The highest mortality rates of larvae and pupae (96 & 72%) and (88 & 72%) were recorded at 107spore/ml both in dipping and spraying methods, respectively. The egg mortality, however, was recorded as 40 and 35% for both methods, respectively, at 107spore/ml, which was significantly lower than other stages of E. amabilis. Field study at (107 spore/ml) recorded 81.18, 59.41 and 76.36% mean population reductions over control during monsoon 2019, winter 2019–2020 and summer 2020, respectively. Biosafety analysis of the native EPF on productivity linked parameters of lac insect was found to be safe suggesting that the native Isaria fumosorosea (MH414514.1) strain, reported first from Assam. Conclusions In this study, it was confirmed that the EPF I. fumosorosea can be offered as an effective microbial agent, alternate to insecticide against E. amabilis, either as a stand-alone strategy or in an integrated approach.

Combining chemical and microbiological methods using entomopathogenic filamentous fungi makes obtaining flavonoid glycosides possible. In the presented study, biotransformations were carried out in cultures of Beauveria bassiana KCH J1.5, Isaria fumosorosea KCH J2, and Isaria farinosa KCH J2.6 strains on six flavonoid compounds obtained in chemical synthesis. As a result of the biotransformation of 6-methyl-8-nitroflavanone using the strain I. fumosorosea KCH J2, two products were obtained: 6-methyl-8-nitro-2-phenylchromane 4-O-β-D-(4″-O-methyl)-glucopyranoside and 8-nitroflavan-4-ol 6-methylene-O-β-D-(4″-O-methyl)-glucopyranoside. 8-Bromo-6-chloroflavanone was transformed by this strain to 8-bromo-6-chloroflavan-4-ol 4′-O-β-D-(4″-O-methyl)-glucopyranoside. As a result of microbial transformation by I. farinosa KCH J2.6 effectively biotransformed only 8-bromo-6-chloroflavone into 8-bromo-6-chloroflavone 4′-O-β-D-(4″-O-methyl)-glucopyranoside. B. bassiana KCH J1.5 was able to transform 6-methyl-8-nitroflavone to 6-methyl-8-nitroflavone 4′-O-β-D-(4″-O-methyl)-glucopyranoside, and 3′-bromo-5′-chloro-2′-hydroxychalcone to 8-bromo-6-chloroflavanone 3′-O-β-D-(4″-O-methyl)-glucopyranoside. None of the filamentous fungi used transformed 2′-hydroxy-5′-methyl-3′-nitrochalcone effectively. Obtained flavonoid derivatives could be used to fight against antibiotic-resistant bacteria. To the best of our knowledge, all the substrates and products presented in this work are new compounds and are described for the first time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The citrus mealybug, Planococcus citri, is an insect pest of greenhouse-grown horticultural crops. Citrus mealybug causes plant damage when feeding on plant leaves, stems, flowers, and fruits, resulting in a substantial economic loss. Insecticides are applied to manage citrus mealybug populations in greenhouse production systems. Anecdotal information suggests that mixing entomopathogenic fungal-based insecticides with insect growth regulators may be effective for managing citrus mealybug populations under greenhouse conditions. Consequently, we conducted two experiments in a research greenhouse at Kansas State University (Manhattan, KS, USA) in 2023. The experiments were designed to determine the efficacy of three commercially available entomopathogenic fungal-based insecticides [Beauveria bassiana Strain GHA (BotaniGard®), B. bassiana strain PPRI 5339 (Velifer™) and Isaria fumosorosea Apopka Strain 97 (Ancora®)] when mixed with three insect growth regulators [azadirachtin (Azatin® O), novaluron (Pedestal®), and pyriproxyfen (Distance®)] on citrus mealybug feeding on coleus, Solenostemon scutellarioides, plants. The entomopathogenic fungal-based insecticides alone or when mixed with the insect growth regulators were not effective in managing citrus mealybug populations, with

Entomopathogenic fungus are important component in pests regulation in ecosystem. Isaria fumosorosea, as one of the entomopathogenic fungi, was reported to successfully control outbreaks of forest defoliators known to attack larch (Larix kaempferi) plantation in Furano, Japan and beech (Fagus crenata) forest in Hachimantai, Japan. Instead of semi-cultured methods, this paper developed and used a culture-independent method based on DNA using qPCR for specific I. fumosorosea detection and quantification directly from soil DNA extraction using specific primer. The primer IFU5821F/IFU6061R was designed and the best primer pair for I. fumosorosea. Strong relationship and good fitting with five levels (R2 = 0.989, E = 0.58) were obtained standard soil DNA extraction. I. fumosorosea could not be detected from all soil samples possibly caused by low density of the fungi. The qPCR was likely a rapid and specific method to detect the fungus from soil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Eublemma amabilis Moore (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is an important pest of lac insect, Kerria spp. (Hemiptera: Tachardiidae: Coccoidea) causing up to 20–25% damage of lac and its encrustation, which has immense industrial utilities. Extensive field monitoring in Regional Lac Insect Field Gene Bank (RLIFGB) resulted in collection of a large number of naturally occurring entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) infected insect cadavers on the lac encrustation of host plant, Flemingia semialata. Pathogenicity test under laboratory conditions showed its efficacy on E. amabilis larvae. Molecular characterization of this EPF by 18S rDNA identified it as Isaria fumosorosea (Wize) (accession number, MH414514.1). Results: Being a potent EPF, biological parameters viz., conidial density and sporulation were determined and its pathogenicity were evaluated against eggs, larvae and pupae of E. amabilis at different spore dilution under laboratory conditions. The highest mortality rates of larvae and pupae (96 & 72%) and (88 & 72%) were recorded at 107spore/ml both in dipping and spraying methods, respectively. The egg mortality, however, was recorded as 40 and 35% for both methods, respectively, at 107spore/ml, which was significantly lower than other stages of E. amabilis. Field study at (107 spore/ml) recorded 81.18, 59.41 and 76.36% mean population reductions over control during monsoon 2019, winter 2019–2020 and summer 2020, respectively. Biosafety analysis of the native EPF on productivity linked parameters of lac insect was found to be safe suggesting that the native Isaria fumosorosea (MH414514.1) strain, reported first from Assam. Conclusions: In this study, it was confirmed that the EPF I. fumosorosea can be offered as an effective microbial agent, alternate to insecticide against E. amabilis, either as a stand-alone strategy or in an integrated approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aquaponics has the potential to produce sustainable and accessible quality food through the integration of hydroponics and aquaculture. Plants take up dissolved nutrients in fish wastewater, allowing water reuse for fish. However, the simultaneous presence of fish and plants in the same water loop has made phytosanitary treatments of diseases such as powdery mildew problematic due to risks of toxicity for fish and beneficial bacteria, limiting its commercialization. Entomopathogenic and mycoparasitic fungi have been identified as safe biological control agents for a broad range of pests. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of entomopathogenic fungi, Lecanicillium attenuatum (LLA), Isaria fumosorosea (IFR), and mycoparasitic fungus Trichoderma virens (TVI) against Podosphaera xanthii. Also, we investigated the possible harmful effects of the three fungal biocontrol agents in aquaponics by inoculating them in aquaponics water and monitoring their survival and growth. The findings showed that the three biocontrol agents significantly suppressed the powdery mildew at 107 CFU/ml concentration. Under greenhouse conditions (65-73% relative humidity (RH)), a significant disease reduction percentage of 85% was recorded in L. attenuatum-pretreated leaves. IFR-treated leaves had the least AUDPC (area under disease progress curve) of ~434.2 and disease severity of 32% under 65-73% RH. In addition, L. attenuatum spores were the most persistent on the leaves, the spores population increased to 9.54 × 103 CFUmm-2 from the initial 7.3 CFUmm-2 under 65-73%. In contrast, in hydroponics water, the LLA, IFR, and TVI spores significantly reduced by more than 99% after 96 hrs. Initial spore concentrations of LLA of 107 CFU/ml spores were reduced to 4 x 103 CFU after 96 hrs. Though the results from this study were intended for aquaponics systems, relevance of the results to other cultivation systems are discussed.

Contextualization: The andean blackberry (Rubus glaucus Benth) is one of the fruits of greater commercialization and importance in Colombia and in the entire Andean zone. This crop is affected by E. colombianus, an insect pest present in blackberry and other crops such as tree tomato, lulo, grape among others. Knowledge gap: The effectiveness of biocontrol agents in controlling E. colombianus under field conditions is not known. Purpose: Evaluate the effectiveness of the native biocontrol agents Metarhizium robertsii and Isaria fumosorosea using commercial products with two application methods. Methodology: The research was carried out at the Altamira Farm, in the municipality of Guacarí (Valle del Cauca), located at 2.990 meters above sea level. 120 plants were selected, and sample of individuals of E. colombianus was taken for reactivation of the fungi in the laboratory. Additionally, the initial population was evaluated, before applying the treatments, in an experimental design of subdivided plots with a 4 x 2 x 3 factorial arrangement. Later, evaluations were carried out every eight days from the month of the first application, and over a period of a month and a half. Results and conclusions: The average initial population of E. colombianus was about 31 individuals, at different stages, in the 120 plants. The most frequently found stages were the first and second, from the root neck to a depth of 80 to 120 cm. The treatment and method that had the greatest effectiveness on E. colombianus was Metarhizium robertsii applied with an injector, which caused an average of 78 % of dead individuals, followed by I. fumosorosea with an average of 75 %. In contrast, the M. robertsii treatment applied. With a pump was the one that presented the lowest average number of individuals, with a total of 17% of individuals killed by the fungi after 45 days. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flavonoid compounds are secondary plant metabolites with numerous biological activities; they naturally occur mainly in the form of glycosides. The glucosyl moiety attached to the flavonoid core makes them more stable and water-soluble. The methyl derivatives of flavonoids also show increased stability and intestinal absorption. Our study showed that such flavonoids can be obtained by combined chemical and biotechnological methods with entomopathogenic filamentous fungi as glycosylation biocatalysts. In the current paper, two flavonoids, i.e., 2′-hydroxy-4-methylchalcone and 4′-methylflavone, have been synthesized and biotransformed in the cultures of two strains of entomopathogenic filamentous fungi Isaria fumosorosea KCH J2 and Beauveria bassiana KCH J1.5. Biotransformation of 2′-hydroxy-4-methylchalcone resulted in the formation of two dihydrochalcone glucopyranoside derivatives in the culture of I. fumosorosea KCH J2 and chalcone glucopyranoside derivative in the case of B. bassiana KCH J1.5. 4′-Methylflavone was transformed in the culture of I. fumosorosea KCH J2 into four products, i.e., 4′-hydroxymethylflavone, flavone 4′-methylene-O-β-d-(4″-O-methyl)-glucopyranoside, flavone 4′-carboxylic acid, and 4′-methylflavone 3-O-β-d-(4″-O-methyl)-glucopyranoside. 4′-Methylflavone was not efficiently biotransformed in the culture of B. bassiana KCH J1.5. The computer-aided simulations based on the chemical structures of the obtained compounds showed their improved physicochemical properties and antimicrobial, anticarcinogenic, hepatoprotective, and cardioprotective potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flavonoid compounds exhibit numerous biological activities and significantly impact human health. The presence of methyl or glucosyl moieties attached to the flavonoid core remarkably modifies their physicochemical properties and improves intestinal absorption. Combined chemical and biotechnological methods can be applied to obtain such derivatives. In the presented study, 4′-methylflavanone was synthesized and biotransformed in the cultures of three strains of entomopathogenic filamentous fungi, i.e., Isaria fumosorosea KCH J2, Beauveria bassiana KCH J1.5, and Isaria farinosa KCH J2.1. The microbial transformation products in the culture of I. fumosorosea KCH J2, flavanone 4′-methylene-O-β-D-(4″-O-methyl)-glucopyranoside, 2-phenyl-(4′-hydroxymethyl)-4-hydroxychromane, and flavanone 4′-carboxylic acid were obtained. Biotransformation of 4′-methylflavanone in the culture of B. bassiana KCH J1.5 resulted in the formation of one main product, i.e., flavanone 4′-methylene-O-β-D-(4″-O-methyl)-glucopyranoside. In the case of I. farinosa KCH J2.6 as a biocatalyst, three products, i.e., flavanone 4′-methylene-O-β-D-(4″-O-methyl)-glucopyranoside, flavanone 4′-carboxylic acid, and 4′-hydroxymethylflavanone 4-O-β-D-(4″-O-methyl)-glucopyranoside were obtained. The Swiss-ADME online simulations confirmed the increase in water solubility of 4′-methylflavanone glycosides and analyses performed using the Way2Drug Pass Online prediction tool indicated that flavanone 4′-methylene-O-β-D-(4″-O-methyl)-glucopyranoside and 4′-hydroxymethylflavanone 4-O-β-D-(4″-O-methyl)-glucopyranoside, which had not been previously reported in the literature, are promising anticarcinogenic, antimicrobial, and hepatoprotective agents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Entomopathogenic fungi and the egg parasitoid Trichogramma pretiosum Riley (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) might be used together in biological control. However, the effects of these fungi on T. pretiosum are not known. Thus, this study aimed to determine the effect of the entomopathogenic fungus Isaria fumosorosea, on the biological parameters of T. pretiosum. Two isolates of I. fumosorosea (IBCB 367 and IBCB 394) were used for this purpose. (1) In a free choice test: cards (1.0 × 5.0 cm) with non-parasitized eggs of Anagasta kuehniella Zeller (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) were either sprayed with 0.2 mL of the fungus suspension (1.0 × 109 conidia.mL-1) or with sterile distilled water containing Tween® 80 (0.01%), which were then offered to females of T. pretiosum. (2) No choice test: the isolates were sprayed at a concentration of 1.0 × 109 conidia.mL-1 on cards (1.0 × 5.0 cm) with A. kuehniella eggs. The control consisted of spraying sterile distilled water containing Tween® 80 (0.01%). Individual females of T. pretiosum were confined for 24 h with the cards. The number of eggs parasitized, percentage of emergence, longevity, duration of the egg-adult period and sex ratio were evaluated, as well as the longevity of the females that parasitized the eggs and the mortality of the emerging adults evaluated. IBCB 367 isolate repelled T. pretiosum. The pre-parasitism and post-parasitism sprays did not affect the number of eggs parasitized or the sex ratio, however, the pre-parasitism IBCB 394 treatment the females and males survived for longer, whereas the survival of females in post-parasitism treatment with the same isolate was reduced.The presence of conidia on and mycelium of the fungus in T. pretiosum was confirmed using Scanning Electron Microscopy and a histological analysis. Isolates IBCB 367 and IBCB 394 from I. fumosorosea are selective to T. pretiosum in the laboratory.

The compatibility of Isaria fumosorosea IF-1106 with 12 commercial pesticide adjuvants was evaluated using the predictive parameter SC90 (the adjuvant concentration at which 90% of conidia survived). Based on the SC90 values and the functionalities of the adjuvants used, two conidial wettable powder formulations of IF-1106 were formulated. Our results indicated that SC90 values can be used to evaluate the compatible concentration of adjuvants and Isaria fumosorosea. The wettable powder formulations F1 and F2 formulated on the basis of this research have a conidia germination rate of 92.4% ± 2.5% and 90.6% ± 1.3%, respectively, showing high compatibility, and their main quality control parameters (conidia germination rate, conidia suspension rate, wetting time, etc.) met commercialisation requirements. Our study also verified that IF-1106 is compatible with major surfactant and water-soluble polymer adjuvants in pesticide formulations when the use concentration is less than its SC90. Our research provided a new method for evaluating the compatibility of adjuvants with entomogenous fungi, and formulated two promising mycoinsecticide formulations for sucking insects in greenhouses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gnomoniopsis castaneae is the cause of the chestnut brown rot but has been also regarded as an important mortality factor for the chestnut gall wasp Dryocosmus kuriphilus. The question to whether G. castaneae could serve as a natural biocontrol agent against insect pests is investigated in the present study. We used three serious insect pests as experimental model insects: Plodia interpuctella and Trogoderma granarium, which are important pests of stored products, and Myzus persicae, a cosmopolitan, serious pest of annual and perennial crop plants. Although chemical pesticides represent effective control means, they are also related to several environmental and health risks. In search for alternative pest management methods, scientific interest has been focused, inter alia, on the use of entomopathogenic fungi. While Isaria fumosorosea has long been recognized as an effective control agent against several pests, G.castaneae has been very little studied. The present study examined whether and to what extent G. castaneae and I. fumosorosea exhibit insecticidal activity against fourth-instar larvae of P. interpunctella and T. granarium and adults of M. persicae. Mortality was examined in interrelation with dosage and time exposure intervals. Both fungi exhibited pesticidal action. However, G. castaneae induced noteworthy mortality only at very high doses. In general, we concluded that G. castaneae failed to cause high insect pathogenicity at normal doses and may not be an efficient biocontrol agent compared with other entomopathogens. On the other hand, our study reiterates the pathogenic potential of I. fumosorosea. More studies are needed to further our insight into the potential of EF species as a component of IPM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel) (Diptera: Tephritidae) is considered as a highly invasive and destructive agricultural pest due to its strong dispersal and adaptive capacity. We evaluated the susceptibility of B. dorsalis pupae to six entomopathogenic fungi (Isaria fumosorosea IFCF01, Beauveria bassiana Bb02, B. bassiana Bb04, Metarhizium anisopliae Ma01, M. anisopliae Ma04, and M. anisopliae Ma09) in the laboratory through impregnation method (immersing fly pupae into conidial suspension). Results indicated that fungus treatment during the pupal stage of B. dorsalis, not only caused significant mortality of target pupae (4.4–14.4% mortality), but also influence the survival of the emerged adults (38.9–72.8% mortality on the 10 days post-emergence). Among the six entomopathogenic fungi, M. anisopliae Ma04 presented the highest virulence against B. dorsalis. Results of virulence bioassay indicated that the LC50 values of M. anisopliae Ma04 against B. dorsalis declined from 5.2 × 1028 to 5.2 × 107 conidia/ml over a 1–10-day period post adult emergence, and the LT50 values decreased from 5.25 to 2.78 days with the concentrations of conidial suspension increasing from 1.0 × 108 to 1.0 × 1010 conidia/ml. Therefore, M. anisopliae Ma04 have a greater potential for B. dorsalis control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The efficacy of the native entomopathogenic fungus, Isaria fumosorosea TR-78-3, was evaluated against females of the bark and ambrosia beetles, Anisandrus dispar Fabricius and Xylosandrus germanus Blandford (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae), under laboratory conditions by two different methods as direct and indirect treatments. In the first method, conidial suspensions (1 × 106 and 1 × 108 conidia ml−1) of the fungus were directly applied to the beetles in Petri dishes (2 ml per dish), using a Potter spray tower. In the second method, the same conidial suspensions were applied on a sterile hazelnut branch placed in the Petri dishes. The LT50 and LT90 values of 1 × 108 conidia ml−1 were 4.78 and 5.94/days, for A. dispar in the direct application method, while they were 4.76 and 6.49/days in the branch application method. Similarly, LT50 and LT90 values of 1 × 108 conidia ml−1 for X. germanus were 4.18 and 5.62/days, and 5.11 and 7.89/days, for the direct and branch application methods, respectively. The efficiency of 1 × 106 conidia ml− 1 was lower than that of 1 × 108 against the beetles in both application methods. This study indicates that I. fumosorosea TR-78-3 had a significant potential as a biological control agent against A. dispar and X. germanus. Further studies are necessary to evaluate the efficacy of the isolate on the pests under field conditions.

Some botanical extracts affect the cellular immune system of insects by interfering with normal hemocyte function. This gives rise to diminution in cellular immunity and causes a decrease in insect defense. This investigation evaluated the effect of acetonic (AcEDv) and methanolic (MeEDv) extracts of Dodonaea viscosa (1000, 2000, and 4000 ppm) on the total hemocyte count (THC) present in the hemolymph of Spodoptera exigua, as well as on its insecticidal activity, on its own and in combination with the entomopathogenic fungus Isaria fumosorosea. Water and Tween® were used as negative controls and Lorsban® as a positive control. Second instar S. exigua larvae were separately fed an artificial diet incorporating both extracts. THC was significantly lower in AcEDv treatment at 1000 ppm and MeEDv treatment at 1000 and 4000 ppm compared with negative controls. The insecticidal action of the individual extracts and those in combination with the conidia of I. fumosorosea manifested from day 21, while at day 28, the AcEDv at 1000 and 2000 ppm and the MeEDv at 4000 ppm applied with the fungus revealed mortality percentages higher than 50% and a significantly higher mortality compared with the negative controls. In conclusion, the extracts of D. viscosa reduced the total THC of S. exigua and suggest that the application of this plant extract presents a synergistic effect on the mortality of S. exigua exposed to entomopathogenic fungus I. fumosorosea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Implementing a predator-mediated pathogen dissemination system can meet the goal of simultaneous biocontrol of harmful mites and other pests. But for the system to be effective, it must satisfy the requirement of high lethality of the pathogen to the target pest(s) with low lethality to predatory mites in a suitable environment. Prior testing showed that the fungal entomopathogen Isaria fumosorosea (Wize) Brown & Smith exhibited high toxicity to aphids yet low toxicity to the predatory mite Neoseiulus cucumeris (Oudemans). In practical application, the humidity conditions of conidia carried by predatory mites to plants are not necessarily constant. Therefore, we set two different humidity conditions to observe the changes of spore attachment quantity and the differences of germination and infection between predatory mites and aphids after their bodies were stained with spores. Under 50±1% relative humidity (RH), predatory mites cleaned most spores in a short time; 24 hours after dusting, the number of spores (mean ± SD) on body was (0.64±0.10)×103, just (4.43±0.35)% of that at 0h, but spores on aphids were kept (16.58±1.48)% ((6.46±0.91)×103 spores) of that at beginning. There was a significant difference in the percentage of spores retained on aphids and predatory mites (p=0.000<0.01). Humidity could affect the cleaning behavior; under 95± 1% RH (the suitable humidity for conidia germination), more spores persisted than that under the 50 ± 1% RH condition; at 24h, the numbers of spores on each predatory mite and aphid were (1.00±0.10)×103 and (10.02±2.87)×103. Here, under a scanning electron microscope, we found that spores on the aphid's body germinated 36 hours after dusting under 95± 1% RH, and the I. fumosorosea mycelium had spread after 48 hours; many new mycelium and spores were produced after 72 hours. In stark contrast, few spores germinated on the mite's body, thus leading to very little damage to its surface. Different cleaning behavior and different morphological structure of body wall can both affect the attachment and infection of I. fumosorosea to aphids and predatory mites. In the future, chemical substance, enzyme and other factors should also be researched to explain the difference of infection of entomopathogenic fungi to different species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highly polyphagous rugose spiralling whitefly (RSW), Aleurodicus rugioperculatus Martin (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) invaded India during 2016. Pathogenicity of two strains (ICAR-NBAIR Pfu-1 & Pfu-5) of entomopathogenic fungus Isaria fumosorosea Wize were evaluated against RSW, however, only Pfu-5 showed virulence. Further dose mortality studies were carried out with re-isolated Pfu-5 strain with five different concentrations ranging from 1×104–1 × 108 spores/mL on A. rugioperculatus and its dominant parasitoid Encarsia guadeloupae (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae). The Pfu-5 strain showed mean mortality of 44.03, 44.80, 36.42 and 28.82% on the eggs, first, third and fourth instar nymphs, respectively. The LC50 values of I. fumosorosea for eggs, first, third and fourth instar nymphs were 2.6 × 104, 2.3 × 104, 3.5 × 105 and 9.5 × 105 spores/mL, respectively, and the LT50 values were 50.39, 41.39, 67.54 and 68.31 h, respectively, for corresponding life stages for the concentration of 1 × 108 spores/mL. The impacts of I. fumosorosea on the parasitoid showed the inhibition of adult emergence was much lower in the Pfu-5 strain (5.8–19.6%) at a concentration of 1 × 108 spores/mL at different exposure times. The present study indicated the pathogenicity of Pfu-5 against A. rugioperculatus and warrant further studies on the compatibility of these biocontrol agents to be evaluated for the simultaneous utilisation under field conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two isolates of Beauveria bassiana（Balsamo-Crivelli）Vuillemin and one isolate of Isaria fumosorosea Wize were isolated from Diaphorina citri Kuwayama（Hemiptera: Liviidae）, a vector of huanglongbing（citrus greening disease）. The ability of these isolates to kill D. citri, two Cacopsylla species（Hemiptera: Psyllidae）, and the brown citrus aphid, Toxoptera citricida（Kirkaldy）, and the effect of temperature in vitro on their growth were investigated. Infection with all three isolates resulted in high mortality for D. citri. In the Cacopsyllaspp. and T. citricida, some isolates caused consistent mortality, but this varied among isolates. Mycelial growth of the three isolates was vigorous at 20–30°C. The two isolates of B. bassiana grew well at 25°C, while the I. fumosorosea isolate grew well at 25–30°C, indicating that the optimal growth temperature varied among the isolates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Entomopathogenic fungi and the egg parasitoid Trichogramma pretiosum Riley (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) might be used together in biological control. However, the effects of these fungi on T. pretiosum are not known. Thus, this study aimed to determine the effect of the entomopathogenic fungus Isaria fumosorosea, on the biological parameters of T. pretiosum. Two isolates of I. fumosorosea (IBCB 367 and IBCB 394) were used for this purpose. (1) In a free choice test: cards (1.0 x 5.0 cm) with non-parasitized eggs of Anagasta kuehniella Zeller (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) were either sprayed with 0.2 mL of the fungus suspension (1.0 x 109 conidia.mL-1) or with sterile distilled water containing Tween® 80 (0.01%), which were then offered to females of T. pretiosum. (2) No choice test: the isolates were sprayed at a concentration of 1.0 x 109 conidia.mL-1 on cards (1.0 x 5.0 cm) with A. kuehniella eggs. The control consisted of spraying sterile distilled water containing Tween® 80 (0.01%). Individual females of T. pretiosum were confined for 24 h with the cards. The number of eggs parasitized, percentage of emergence, longevity, duration of the egg-adult period and sex ratio were evaluated, as well as the longevity of the females that parasitized the eggs and the mortality of the emerging adults evaluated. IBCB 367 isolate repelled T. pretiosum. The pre-parasitism and post-parasitism sprays did not affect the number of eggs parasitized or the sex ratio, however, the pre-parasitism IBCB 394 treatment the females and males survived for longer, whereas the survival of females in post-parasitism treatment with the same isolate was reduced. The presence of conidia on and mycelium of the fungus in T. pretiosum was confirmed using Scanning Electron Microscopy and a histological analysis. Isolates IBCB 367 and IBCB 394 from I. fumosorosea are selective to T. pretiosum in the laboratory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The European large raspberry aphid, Amphorophora idaei (Börner) (Hemiptera: Aphididae), is one of the most important pests of the raspberry, causing significant economic damage due to its high mobility and its role as a vector of various viral plant pathogens. In the absence of effective control solutions, 16 strains of entomopathogenic fungi comprising six genera, i.e. Isaria fumosorosea, Lecanicillium longisporum, Lecanicillium muscarium, Beauveria bassiana, Metarhizium anisopliae and Metarhizium brunneum (formally known as Metarhizium anisopliae var. anisopliae) were screened for their comparative virulence against A. idaei. Three different concentrations of fungal conidial suspensions (1 × 105, 1 × 106 and 1 × 108 ml−1) of M. brunneum, I. fumosorosea and L. longisporum were sprayed on detached raspberry leaves infested with A. idaei under laboratory conditions, and further trials were conducted in the glasshouse. The results showed that these entomopathogenic fungal strains were able to reduce the number of A. idaei. However, virulence varied significantly between different fungal strains/species. The most virulent species were L. longisporum and I. fumosorosea, followed by M. brunneum. All species of B. bassiana showed least virulence. The virulence of three selected strains M. brunneum BNL102, I. fumosorosea FE 9901 and L. longisporum Vertalec were dependent on dose and insect life stage. LT50 values of A. idaei exposed to pre-treated leaves with entomopathogenic fungi were relatively lower than those of aphids that received direct inocula by spraying. Similarly, significant reduction in A. idaei populations were observed in the glasshouse. Overall, this study demonstrates the effectiveness of fungal strains that could be commercially exploited against A. idaei. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to identify effective surfactants for Isaria fumosorosea PF904, the surface free energies of the leaves of cabbage, apple, eggplant and cucumber were measured by the OWRK method. When 4 different surfactants were added respectively into the spore suspension of Isaria fumosorosea, the surface tension and critical micelle concentration (CMC) of each solution were determined by the surface tension method. Their contact angle and maximum retention (Rm) on plant leaves were measured by angle measuring and weight difference method. Safety assessments of these screened surfactants were also conducted. The results showed that the wetting ability of Isaria fumosorosea spore suspension on 4 types of the tested plant leaves were improved when 125-500 mg/L of OFX-0193, AOS or Nekal was added. Nekal (250 mg/L) functioned best on cabbage and apple leaf surfaces(Rm: 11.90±0.23 and 13.28±0.28 mg/cm2; contact angle: 29.5°, 27.5°), indicating its advantage in promoting the wetting ability of Isaria fumosorosea PF904. OFX-0193 showed the best maximum retention at the concentration of 9.45 mg/cm2 on the surface of eggplant leaf at the concentration of 125 mg/L. Pullulan surface tension values were greater than the surface free energy values of cabbage, apple and eggplant leaves. Its contact angles were greater than 90° when reaching the concentration of CMC, which revealed that it was not effective in the activating of the wetting ability of PF904. The results of the inhibition rates of spore germination measurement showed that Nekal and OFX-0193 did not restrain Isaria fumosorosea PF904 germination, but AOS did. In conclusion, surfactants Nekal and OFX-0193 can be employed to assist Isaria fumosorosea to protect apple and cabbage from pests, OFX-0193 can also be used to control eggplant pests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The European grapevine moth (Lobesia botrana) is currently the most damaging pest in many viticultural regions of South and Central Europe and is highly responsible for the development of secondary infections by Botrytis cinerea to both table and wine grapes. Entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) are considered as substantial biological control agents of insect pests. However, they are able to infect their hosts only under a narrow spectrum of environmental conditions. In this study, the effects of temperature on pathogenicity of EPF for the control of L. botrana are reported. Among a collection of 33 EPF isolates, six virulent isolates were selected for the experiments. The bioassays took place at controlled conditions, under the temperature regimes of 20, 22.5, 25, 27.5, 30, and 32.5 °C. A conidial concentration of 1 × 108 conidia/ml was prepared for each isolate, and fungi were applied by spraying them on third-instar larvae (L3) of L. botrana. Both factors, fungal isolate and temperature, significantly affected mortality of L. botrana. Most fungal isolates exhibited their highest larval mortality rates seven days post-treatment at the temperatures of 25 and 27.5 °C. Some isolates caused considerably high larval mortality that exceeded 90% under specific temperature conditions. Overall, EPF showed great potential as bio-control agents for controlling larval populations of L. botrana. [Display omitted] • Entomogenous fungi showed great potential as biocontrol agents of Lobesia botrana. • Temperature significantly influenced all fungi on larval mortality of L. botrana. • An isolate from a cool region (Isaria fumosorosea EBAC01) was the most virulent. • Most fungal isolates demonstrated their highest efficacy at 25 and 27.5 °C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Citrus greening disease is devastating the citrus industry in Florida, and the conventional synthetic pesticide applications used to control the vector, the Asian citrus psyllid (AsCP), Diaphorina citri, are rapidly becoming unsustainable. Various laboratory experiments indicate that the entomopathogenic fungus Cordyceps javanica, alone and in combination with horticultural oils, may offer a more sustainable strategy for the management of AsCP. Field studies conducted in 2018 and 2019 in mature citrus indicated that C. javanica alone, C. javanica mixed with white oil, and the chemical standard spinetoram mixed with white oil significantly suppressed AsCP adult populations by 61–83% up to 14 days after treatment in 2018, although colony-forming units of C. javanica were still present on the leaves 21 days after treatment (DAT). Only spinetoram + oil significantly suppressed AsCP, by 100%, up to 7 DAT in 2019. Natural enemies of AsCP, including lady beetles, lacewing larvae and the parasitoid Tamarixia radiata, were observed in the fungal treatments and the untreated control. The AsCP suppression by C. javanica and its compatibility with beneficial organisms suggest the potential use of this entomopathogenic fungus in citrus-integrated pest management.

Gnomoniopsis castaneae is the cause of the chestnut brown rot but has been also regarded as an important mortality factor for the chestnut gall wasp Dryocosmus kuriphilus. The question to whether G. castaneae could serve as a natural biocontrol agent against insect pests is investigated in the present study. We used three serious insect pests as experimental model insects: Plodia interpuctella and Trogoderma granarium, which are important pests of stored products, and Myzus persicae, a cosmopolitan, serious pest of annual and perennial crop plants. Although chemical pesticides represent effective control means, they are also related to several environmental and health risks. In search for alternative pest management methods, scientific interest has been focused, inter alia, on the use of entomopathogenic fungi. While Isaria fumosorosea has long been recognized as an effective control agent against several pests, G.castaneae has been very little studied. The present study examined whether and to what extent G. castaneae and I. fumosorosea exhibit insecticidal activity against fourth-instar larvae of P. interpunctella and T. granarium and adults of M. persicae. Mortality was examined in interrelation with dosage and time exposure intervals. Both fungi exhibited pesticidal action. However, G. castaneae induced noteworthy mortality only at very high doses. In general, we concluded that G. castaneae failed to cause high insect pathogenicity at normal doses and may not be an efficient biocontrol agent compared with other entomopathogens. On the other hand, our study reiterates the pathogenic potential of I. fumosorosea. More studies are needed to further our insight into the potential of EF species as a component of IPM.

In this study, the isolation frequency and density of infectious units of entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) in soils from orchards in different farming systems were determined. Soil samples were collected from the fallow and sward strips of apple orchards under various production regimes, including organic, conventional, and integrated pest management (IPM). There were no significant differences for EPF density in organic and conventional orchards, but there were substantial differences between sward strips and fallows, depending on the farming system. The density of soilborne EPF from organic orchards was significantly higher in the fallow than the sward strip. The density of soilborne EPF from the herbicide-treated fallow was significantly lower samples from the sward strip in conventional production. The density of soilborne EPF in the orchards using an IPM program was higher in the herbicide-treated fallow than in the sward strip. Among the four isolated species of entomopathogenic fungi, Metarhizium anisopliae (sensu lato) was the most abundant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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BACKGROUND: Nanoparticles can be used for effective pest management as a combined formulation of metal and some other material that has proven efficacy against a given pest. This study reports the synthesis, characterization and efficacy of Isaria fumosorosea‐based zero‐valent iron (ZVI) nanoparticles against sweet potato whitefly Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius). RESULTS: The I. fumosorosea‐ZVI nanoparticles showed a characteristic surface plasmon absorption band at 470 nm during UV‐visible spectroscopy. The scanning electron micrographs of nanoparticles showed spherical shaped nanoparticles with sizes ranging between 1.71 and 3.0 µm. The EDX analysis showed the characteristic peak of iron at 0.6 and 6.8 KeV. The XRD analysis showed characteristic peaks at 44.72°, 65.070°, 82.339° and 82.65°. The bioassay results indicated that the percentage of larval mortality of B. tabaci challenged with I. fumosorosea ZVI nanoparticles was both concentration and age dependent. Isaria fumosorosea ZVI nanoparticles showed high pathogenicity against second and third instar nymphs, and pupae with LC50 values of 19.17, 26.10 and 37.71 ppm, respectively. The LT50 was lowest for second instar nymphs (3.15 days) and highest for pupae (4.22 days) when inoculated with a concentration of 50 ppm. CONCLUSION: Isaria fumosorosea ZVI nanoparticles can be an eco‐friendly tool for effective B. tabaci management. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was conducted to evaluate the crude filtrates of Isaria fumosorosea and Trichoderma harzianum against the nymphs and adults of Aphis fabae. I. fumosorosea filtrates gave 90.0 and 65.32% of mortality of nymphs and adults, respectively, compared to 13.83 and 9.22% in controls after 72 h. Comparatively filtrates of T. harzianum were less active at similar concentration and mortality of 71.81 and 53.88% of nymphs and adults was recorded post 72 h treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The citrus rust mite, Phyllocoptruta oleivora Ashmead (Acari: Eriophyidae), is a major pest of citrus, affecting both quality and yield. Although entomopathogenic fungi such as Beauveria bassiana (Bals.-Criv.) Vuill. (Cordycipitaceae), Metarhizium anisopliae (Metschn.) Sorokīn (Clavicipitaceae), and Isaria fumosorosea Wize (Cordycipitaceae) have been used for insect and mite control, the last 2 have never been applied to control citrus rust mite. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of 3 concentrations of B. bassiana, M. anisopliae, and I. fumosorosea on mortality and growth rate (r) of P. oleivora populations under greenhouse conditions. The fungi were isolated from agricultural soil samples. Mobile stages of P. oleivora were collected from leaves of commercial Valencia orange groves. At a concentration of 1 × 108 conidia mL-1, B. bassiana and M. anisopliae caused > 60% mortality in P. oleivora populations, whereas mortality due to I. fumosorosea never exceeded 50%. There was a significant inverse relationship between the percent mortality and the LT50. Application of B. bassiana resulted in the slowest growth rate of P. oleivora populations, which was 10.5 × slower than the control population receiving no fungus application. Our results demonstrate that B. bassiana and M. anisopliae are efficient in control of P. oleivora populations under greenhouse conditions, whereas I. fumosorosea produces moderate control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis, is one of the most destructive insect pests of greenhouse-grown horticultural crops. The primary method of managing western flower thrips populations involves applications of insecticides; however, there is no information associated with the effect of the insect growth regulator, pyriproxyfen, or the entomopathogenic fungus, Isaria fumosorosea, on western flower thrips pupae in growing media. Therefore, four laboratory experiments were conducted to determine the effect of pyriproxyfen and I. fumosorosea applied as a drench to growing media on western flower thrips pupae. Expt. 1 evaluated the efficacy of pyriproxyfen and I. fumosorosea on western flower thrips pupae. Based on the results from Expt. 1, Expt. 2 assessed the effect of pyriproxyfen in two growing media (LC1 and BM1) on western flower thrips pupae. Expts. 3 and 4 determined the residual activity of pyriproxyfen in growing media on western flower thrips pupae 3, 5, 7, and 14 days after treatments were applied. The pyriproxyfen treatment resulted in a significantly lower estimated mean probability of western flower thrips adults captured on yellow sticky cards (17%) compared with the water control (59%), untreated check (88%), and two I. fumosorosea treatments (46% for 1.0 g and 41% for 2.0 g of Ancora) in Expt. 1. However, for the two growing media in Expt. 2, the estimated mean probability of western flower thrips adults captured on yellow sticky cards was not significantly different between the pyriproxyfen treatment (LC1 = 15%; BM1 = 12%) and the water control (LC1 = 41%; BM1 = 24%). For either the pyriproxyfen treatment or the untreated check, there was no evidence of a significant difference between the two growing media on the estimated mean probability of western flower thrips adults captured on yellow sticky cards. Furthermore, there was no evidence of any residual activity 3 days after drench applications of pyriproxyfen. The results of the study have demonstrated that drench applications of pyriproxyfen are not affecting survival of western flower thrips pupae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Entomopathogenic fungi based microbial insecticides are considered as safe alternatives to chemical pesticides, which secretes several bioactive compounds to kill the host insects. In this study, we report a new approach for the synthesis and characterization of insecticide toxic protein IF8 produced by the Isaria fumosorosea 08, and to evaluate the mycotoxin level against the vector of Huanglongbing (HLB) or citrus greening disease, the Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri. Soluble toxic metabolites extracted from I. fumosorosea 08 through submerged liquid state culture had a molecular weight of 43 kDa when subjected by to sodium dodecyl sulfate-poly-acrylamide (SDS-PAGE) gel electrophoresis. The most abundant of toxic protein IF8 was determined by High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and liquid chromatography electrospray ionization-mass spectroscopy (LC-ESI-MS) for the analysis of its molecular mass weight and purity. Further Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight (MALDI-TOFF) analysis confirmed the presence of toxic metabolites in liquid culture. Subsequently, mycotoxic effect of toxic protein IF8 was tested against D. citri at three different concentrations (1%, 2%, and 3%). The results showed the insecticidal activity of >80% when administered at three different concentrations at 48–120 hour post-application. Additionally, we also investigated the physicochemical properties and stability of IF8 by using computational biological tools. This is the first study to report the characterization of fungal mediated synthesis of the protein IF8 toxic to the insect D. citri. These results suggest the mycotoxin control of D. citri and prevention of HLB transmission by using a natural toxic compound which is eco-friendly and can be potentially used for the integrated management of D. citri. Highlights • Extraction and characterization of toxic protein IF8 from I. fumosorosea 08 through submerged liquid state culture media. • The purified toxic protein was subjected to sodium SDS-PAGE analysis and determines the molecular weight of 43 kDa. • The toxic effect of IF8 assessed against D. citri • Toxic metabolites were purified and molecular mass was determined by using different analytical techniques. • This novel approach provides a potential mycotoxin control of D. citri and prevents the transmission of HLB disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two new carotane-type sesquiterpenes named trichocaranes E (1) and F (2), along with two known ones CAF-603 (3) and trichocarane C (4), were isolated from cultures of the insect pathogenic fungus Isaria fumosorosea. Their structures and relative configurations were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analysis and X-ray crystallography. Compounds 1-3 showed potent cytotoxic activities against six tumor cell lines MDA, MCF-7, SKOV-3, Hela, A549, HepG2 with IC50 values in a concentration range of 0.1-6.0 μg/ml. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the paper was to present species composition and density of colony-forming units of entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) in the soil sampled from the herbicide fallow and sward strips of four blackcurrant (Ribes nigrum L.) fields in Poland. Samples collected in spring and autumn were used as study material. The fungi were isolated with the method of scattering diluted soil onto the selective medium. In order to protect the plants against pests, conventional plant protection was applied to all fields. In the soil taken from the blackcurrant fields three species of entomopathogenic fungi were found: Beauveria bassiana s.l. (Bals.-Criv.) Vuill., Isaria fumosorosea (Wize) and Metarhizium anisopliae s.l. (Metschn.) Sorokin. Both in spring and autumn isolated fungi produced more colony-forming units (CFU) in soil collected from the sward strips than from the herbicide fallow of the blackcurrant fields. In spring B. bassiana s.l. and M. anisopliae s.l. produced more CFU in the soil under sward than in the herbicide strip with intense chemical protection. In the case of I. fumosorosea in spring there was a tendency for CFU to be more numerous in the soil of the herbicide fallow. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Isaria fumosorosea is an entomopathogenic fungus that is used as a control alternative for nymphs and adults of Bemisia tabaci. Currently there are some commercial products, however, in greenhouse or field, these do not reach the levels of control as in the laboratory because the viability of the spores decreases as a result of the conditions of application of these products in situ. The objective of this work is to implement, through agroecological data, a system of biotechnological traps based on I. fumosorosea to increase the control efficiency mainly of adults of B. tabaci in strawberry greenhouses. One way to quantify the degree of infestation of a crop is the use of yellow traps, likewise to determine the spatial distribution of adults. The Taylor method [(1984). Assessing and interpreting the spatial distributions of insect populations. Annual Reviews of Entomology, 29, 321-357) was used in five different strawberry cultivation models, finding aggregate and regular distributions. Finally, once the crop model with the highest degree of infestation was selected, the designed traps were tested and mortalities were obtained between 50% and 90% in both the laboratory and the greenhouse. The biotechnological traps based on I. fumosorosea both in the laboratory and in the greenhouse had statistically the same effect as those used under the traditional method used in the field that is aspersion; therefore, this alternative method of application can be a tool important for the biological control of this pest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Entompathogenic nematodes improve the transmission of Cordyceps fumosorosea spores. • Steinernema feltiae and S. carpocapsae were found to spread spores most effectively. • Nematode's 2nd stage cuticle is an important factor for spore dispersal. • Adhesive medium increased spore distribution in the soil environment. Entomopathogenic nematodes and fungi are organisms that cause epizootics in insect and are therefore important bioagents. Many studies focus on the effectiveness of either entomopathogenic nematodes or fungi for controlling pests, though it has been shown that a combination of the two entomopathogens may enhance their efficacy against host and the nematodes can disseminate fungal spores on cuticle. We focused on evaluating the effects of foraging behaviour of Steinernema feltiae , Heterorhabditis bacteriophora , and Steinernema carpocapsae on the dissemination of Cordyceps fumosorosea. Additionally, we investigated how the nematode's 2nd stage cuticle as well as various adhesives impact spore transmission. Fungal dispersal via nematodes was studied through two experimental designs: soil-filled glass tubes and soil columns. The latter experiment also used alginate and sunflower oil as adhesives to explore ways to enhance spore dispersal. Results illustrated that nematodes improve the transmission of C. fumosorosea spores; particularly conidia. The nematodes S. feltiae and S. carpocapsae were found to spread spores most effectively, depending however on the experimental soil conditions. Research revealed that the nematode's 2nd stage cuticle is an important factor for spore dispersal; without it, transmission rates drop significantly. Sunflower oil was determined to be the most successful adhesive medium and increased spore distribution for all tested nematodes. These findings indicate the potential use of adhesives in biocontrol to enhance nematode dissemination of EPF spores. Additional research regarding adhesives, as well as the mechanisms of spore adhesion to the nematode may be of importance in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aleurothrixus (formerly known as Aleurotrachelus) trachoides Back (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), commonly known as pepper or solanum whitefly, is a new emerging whitefly pest of several horticultural crops in the United States. During the preliminary survey for pepper whitefly infestation in Florida, a whitefly-specific predatory beetle Delphastus catalinae Horn (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) was observed associated with this pest in the natural ecosystem. The current study was undertaken to determine the efficacy of this naturally occurring predator, D. catalinae, and an entomopathogenic fungus, Cordyceps (formerly known as Isaria) fumosorosea (Cfr) (Wize) (Hypocreales: Cordycipitaceae), alone or in combination, under controlled laboratory conditions. Whitefly mortality for Cfr (88%), beetle (100%) and Cfr + beetle (100%) treatments were similar and significantly higher compared to control. In the combination treatment, Cfr did not impact D. catalinae longevity and daily food intake, indicating a neutral interaction between the two treatments. Results showed that both of these natural biological control agents could potentially offer an effective alternative in the battle against invasive whiteflies such as pepper whitefly in U.S. horticulture production, either as a stand-alone strategy or in an integrated approach. Although these findings are promising, compatibility of the two treatments needs to be evaluated further under greenhouse and semi-field conditions before recommending to commercial growers.