Prospects for biopesticides for aphid control

Efficacy of entomopathogenic fungi against Philaenus spumarius, the vector of Xylella fastidosa

BACKGROUND

Xylella fastidiosa is an important causative agent of Olive Quick Decline Syndrome in the Apulia region of Italy. The current study evaluated the bioefficacy of three entomopathogenic fungal strains: Beauveria bassiana SGB7004, Metarhizium robertsii SGB1K, and Akanthomyces lecanii SGB4711 against Philaenus spumarius the main vector of this pathogen, under laboratory conditions. Pathogenicity bioassays were performed by dipping nymphs and adults of P. spumarius in an aqueous suspension of powdered fungal culture (PFC) or conidial suspension (CS) of the three fungal strains.

RESULTS

Both B. bassiana SGB7004 and M. robertsii SGB1K affected the viability of nymphs, resulting in more than 80% mortality at 48 h post treatment, while the effect of A. lecanii SGB4711 was not statistically significant. On adults, all three biocontrol strains were effective in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. The PFCs of B. bassiana SGB7004, M. robertsii SGB1K, and A. lecanii SGB4711 at the highest concentration tested (120 mg mL-1) resulted in 97%, 83% and 27% mortality at the trial endpoint (120 h), respectively. Mycelial growth was observed on 38.5%, 37.0% and 61.5% of dead insects treated with B. bassiana SGB7004 (2.3 × 108 CFU mL-1), M. robertsii SGB1K (3.8 × 106 CFU mL-1) and A. lecanii SGB4711 (5.4 × 108 CFU mL-1), respectively. None of the PFCs of the tested strains was pathogenic when injected into nymph spittle.

CONCLUSIONS

Beauveria bassiana SGB7004 and M. robertsii SGB1K significantly affected the survival of P. spumarius nymphs and adults, while A. lecanii SGB4711 was not effective on nymphs and only slightly effective against adults. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Attraction of Myzus persicae (Hemiptera: Aphididae) to Volatiles Emitted From the Entomopathogenic Fungus Beauveria bassiana

Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) Vuillemin infects a wide variety of insects, including the green peach aphid, Myzus persicae (Sulzer). Volatiles emitted from B. bassiana can act as semiochemical attractants or repellents, with most responses reported to date resulting in insects avoiding B. bassiana. Since insects can detect 'enemy-specific volatile compounds', we hypothesized the preference behavior of M. persicae would be influenced by volatile emissions from B. bassiana. We conducted Petri dish and Y-tube olfactometer bioassays to characterize the preference of M. persicae to B. bassiana strain GHA. During Petri dish bioassays, more apterous and alate M. persicae were recorded in the vicinity of agar colonized by B. bassiana compared to agar, or Fusarium proliferatum (Matsushima) Nirenberg and Ambrosiella grosmanniae Mayers, McNew, & Harrington as representatives of nonentomopathogenic fungi. Petri dish bioassays also determined that apterous and alate M. persicae preferred filter paper saturated with 1 × 107, 1 × 106, and 1 × 105B. bassiana conidia/ml compared to Tween 80. Y-tube bioassays documented that more apterous and alate M. persicae oriented upwind to volatiles from B. bassiana mycelia compared to agar. Apterous and alate Myzus persicae were also preferentially attracted to 1 × 107 and 1 × 106B. bassiana conidia/ml compared to Tween-80 during Y-tube bioassays. These results complement a previous finding that the mosquito Anopheles stephensi (Diptera: Culicidae) Liston is attracted to volatiles from B. bassiana. Future studies aimed at characterizing the olfactory mechanism leading to the attraction of M. persicae to B. bassiana could aid in optimizing lure-and-kill strategies.

Toxicity of crude toxin protein produced by Cordyceps fumosorosea IF-1106 against Myzus persicae (Sulze)

The entomopathogenic fungus Cordyceps fumosorosea IF-1106 is a potential biocontrol agent with high pathogenicity to the aphid Myzus persicae. We extracted the crude toxin protein from a liquid culture broth of an isolated C. fumosorosea strain using the ammonium sulfate precipitation method, and its toxicity to Myzus persicae was measured by injection, oral exposure, and topical exposure. The crude toxin protein of C. fumosorosea had insecticidal activity against M. persicae. Body cavity injection and oral exposure had significantly higher insecticidal activity against adults than contact sprays. The highest cumulative corrected mortality of adults after injection was 81.85 ± 13.45 %, and the highest cumulative corrected mortality of adults after ingestion was 85.45 ± 11.88 %. The proportion of plasmatocytes in adult blood lymphocytes reached the highest at 3 days after injection and feeding, and the proportion of granulocytes was the highest at 2 days after injection and feeding. These data confirmed the toxicity of the crude toxin protein of C. fumosorosea toxin to M. persicae and helped clarify the pathogenic mechanism of the strain. Population management of M. persicae may be possible by using a natural toxic compound produced by C. fumosorosea that is selective to this pest species.

Entomopathogenic fungi tested in planta on pepper and in field on sorghum, to control commercially important species of aphids

Given the aphids high reproductive capacity, assessing their biocontrol by using entomopathogenic fungi is crucial; to determine their potential, fungi were tested in planta and in field conditions. Significant decrease of Myzus persicae (Sulzer) population was observed in planta after applying Beauveria bassiana (strain 7R), Trichoderma gamsii (strain Z) or Metarhizium brunneum (strain Meta Br1) at 1 × 10⁷ or 1 × 10⁸ conidia/mL on pepper plants. Significant differences of aphids' populations were detected between fungus concentration and control (F = 68.743, df = 6.980, P < 0.001), where M. brunneum at 1 × 10⁸ conidia/mL reduced aphids population close to zero. At 20 °C, dead aphids' mycosis by B. bassiana and T. gamsii was 78% and 84%; at 25 °C was 83% and 88%; and at 30 °C was 75% and 79%, respectively. In field conditions, Mexican PTG4 and commercial GHA B. bassiana strains were tested [(1 × 10⁶ conidia/mL + corn starch) seed treatments] against the Melanaphis sacchari (Zehntner) aphid populations, on naturally infested sorghum plants. Results showed that plant germination and emergence were not affected, whereas yield (grams of sugar/plant) was significantly higher among treated compared with untreated plants. The aphid population decreased in plants from PTG4 treated seeds; indeed, this treatment had a significant positive effect on the flowering index, whereas the stem fresh weight and juice volume was significantly increased among plants from GHA treated seeds. Taken together, tested strains can be used as a tool to control aphids' population on several crops such as pepper and even increase the yield in sorghum.

General Limitations to Endophytic Entomopathogenic Fungi Use as Plant Growth Promoters, Pests and Pathogens Biocontrol Agents

The multiple roles of fungal entomopathogens in host plants' growth promotion, pest and pathogen management have drawn huge attention for investigation. Endophytic species are known to influence various activities of their associated host plants, and the endophyte-colonized plants have been demonstrated to gain huge benefits from these symbiotic associations. The potential application of fungal endophytes as alternative to inorganic fertilizers for crop improvement has often been proposed. Similarly, various strains of insect pathogenic fungi have been formulated for use as mycopesticides and have been suggested as long-term replacement for the synthetic pesticides that are commonly in use. The numerous concerns about the negative effects of synthetic chemical pesticides have also driven attention towards developing eco-friendly pest management techniques. However, several factors have been underlined to be militating the successful adoption of entomopathogenic fungi and fungal endophytes as plant promoting, pests and diseases control bio-agents. The difficulties in isolation and characterization of novel strains, negative effects of geographical location, vegetation type and human disturbance on fungal entomopathogens, are among the numerous setbacks that have been documented. Although, the latest advances in biotechnology and microbial studies have provided means of overcoming many of these problems. For instance, studies have suggested measures for mitigating the negative effects of biotic and abiotic stressors on entomopathogenic fungi in inundative application on the field, or when applied in the form of fungal endophytes. In spite of these efforts, more studies are needed to be done to achieve the goal of improving the overall effectiveness and increase in the level of acceptance of entomopathogenic fungi and their products as an integral part of the integrated pest management programs, as well as potential adoption as an alternative to inorganic fertilizers and pesticides.

Perplexing Metabolomes in Fungal-Insect Trophic Interactions: A Terra Incognita of Mycobiocontrol Mechanisms

The trophic interactions of entomopathogenic fungi in different ecological niches viz., soil, plants, or insect themselves are effectively regulated by their maneuvered metabolomes and the plethora of metabotypes. In this article, we discuss a holistic framework of co-evolutionary metabolomes and metabotypes to model the interactions of biocontrol fungi especially with mycosed insects. Conventionally, the studies involving fungal biocontrol mechanisms are reported in the context of much aggrandized fungal entomotoxins while the adaptive response mechanisms of host insects are relatively overlooked. The present review asserts that the selective pressure exerted among the competing or interacting species drives alterations in their overall metabolomes which ultimately implicates in corresponding metabotypes. Quintessentially, metabolomics offers a most generic and tractable model to assess the fungal-insect antagonism in terms of interaction biomarkers, biosynthetic pathway plasticity, and their co-evolutionary defense. The fungi chiefly rely on a battery of entomotoxins viz., secondary metabolites falling in the categories of NRP's (non-ribosomal peptides), PK's (polyketides), lysine derive alkaloids, and terpenoids. On the contrary, insects overcome mycosis through employing different layers of immunity manifested as altered metabotypes (phenoloxidase activity) and overall metabolomes viz., carbohydrates, lipids, fatty acids, amino acids, and eicosanoids. Here, we discuss the recent findings within conventional premise of fungal entomotoxicity and the evolution of truculent immune response among host insect. The metabolomic frameworks for fungal-insect interaction can potentially transmogrify our current comprehensions of biocontrol mechanisms to develop the hypervirulent biocontrol strains with least environmental concerns. Moreover, the interaction metabolomics (interactome) in complementation with other -omics cascades could further be applied to address the fundamental bottlenecks of adaptive co-evolution among biological species.

Pathogenicity of conidia-based preparations of entomopathogenic fungi against the greenhouse pest aphids Myzus persicae, Aphis gossypii, and Aulacorthum solani (Hemiptera: Aphididae)

Seeking new isolates of entomopathogenic fungi with greater virulence against greenhouse aphid pests than those currently registered in North America for control of these insects, single-dose screening assays of 44 selected fungal isolates and 4 commercially available strains were conducted against first-instar nymphs of Myzus persicae and Aphis gossypii. The assays identified a number of Beauveria and Metarhizium isolates with virulence equal to or greater than that of the commercial strains against the nymphal aphids, but none exhibited exceptionally high virulence. Virulence of Isaria isolates was unexpectedly low (<31% mortality at doses>1000conidia/mm(2)). In dose-response assays, Beauveria ARSEF 5493 proved most virulent against M. persicae and A. gossypii; however, LC50s of this isolate did not differ significantly from those of B. bassiana commercial strain JW-1. Dose-response assays were also conducted with Aulacorthum solani, the first reported evaluations of Beauveria and Metarhizium against this pest. The novel isolate Metarhizium 5471 showed virulence⩾that of Beauveria 5493 in terms of LC25 and LC50, but 5493 produced a steeper dose response (slope). Additional tests showed that adult aphids are more susceptible than nymphs to fungal infection but confirmed that infection has a limited pre-mortem effect on aphid reproduction. Effects of assay techniques and the potential of fungal pathogens as aphid-control agents are discussed.

Virulence of Verticillium lecanii (Z.) against cereal aphids; does timing of infection affect the performance of parasitoids and predators?

BACKGROUND

Entomopathogenic fungi such as Verticillium lecanii (Z.) (Mycotal(®)) are used for pest control as an alternative to chemical control. In this study, the effect of V. lecanii on cereal aphids is assessed. In addition, an investigation is carried out to determine whether the use of V. lecanii affects the performance of two natural enemies of aphids, the predator Harmonia axyridis (P.) and the parasitoid Aphidius colemani (V.), in no-choice experiments under laboratory conditions.

RESULTS

The number of Rhopalosiphum padi (L.) and Sitobion avenae (F.) killed was increased by increasing the concentration of V. lecanii. The timing of application of fungus to aphids affected the efficacy of other biocontrol agents, a parasitoid and a predator. Parasitation by A. colemani (V.) in both cereal aphids (S. avenae and R. padi) was not affected by V. lecanii when aphids were first treated with V. lecanii and then exposed to A. colemani. The emergence of adults from parasitised mummies was, however, lower in infected aphids than in uninfected aphids when the aphids were first exposed to the parasitoids and then treated with fungus. The female sex ratio in the emerging adults was lower in V. lecanii-treated aphids in both species. When aphids were first treated with V. lecanii, 72 h before predation, fewer aphids of both species were consumed by H. axyridis (P.).

CONCLUSION

Use of entomopathogenic fungus as a biological control agent could be a complementary strategy in an integrated pest management programme against cereal aphids, but it can reduce the efficiency of other biocontrol agents (parasitoids and predators) when applied simultaneously.

DETERMINAÇÃO DA ÉPOCA DE LIBERAÇÃO DE LYSIPHLEBUS TESTACEIPES (CRESSON,1880) (HYMENOPTERA: APHIDIIDAE) APÓS APLICAÇÃO DE DIFERENTES FUNGOS ENTOMOPATOGÊNICOS PARA CONTROLE INTEGRADO DE SCHIZAPHIS GRAMINUM (ROND., 1852) (HEMIPTERA: APHIDIDAE)

RESUMO As interações entre patógenos e parasitóides devem ser avaliadas para um possível controle das pragas, sendo observada a interrupção ou não do desenvolvimento larval quando um hospedeiro parasitado é infectado ou quando um hospedeiro infectado é oferecido ao parasitóide. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o melhor tempo de liberação do parasitóide Lysiphlebus testaceipes e a melhor concentração dos fungos Beauveriabassiana, Metarhizium anisopliae, Paecilomyces fumosoroseus e Lecanicillium lecanii no controle do pulgão Schizaphis graminum. Os parasitóides foram liberados às 0, 24, 48 e 72 horas após aplicação de duas concentrações (104 e 108 conídios/mL) dos fungos B. bassiana, M. anisopliae, P. fumosoroseus e L. lecanii. Na testemunha foi pulverizada água destilada esterilizada. O fungo entomopatogênico L. lecanii é altamente prejudicial ao desenvolvimento do parasitóide na maior concentração. Para a utilização conjunta dos fungos B. bassiana, M. anisopliae e P. fumosoroseus com L. testaceipes no controle de S. graminum, a melhor época de liberação do parasitóide é logo após a sua aplicação (0h).

Role of entomopathogenic fungi in the control of Tetranychus evansi and Tetranychus urticae (Acari: Tetranychidae), pests of horticultural crops

The spider mites Tetranychus urticae Koch and Tetranychus evansi Baker and Pritchard are important pests of horticultural crops. They are infected by entomopathogenic fungi naturally or experimentally. Fungal pathogens known to cause high infection in spider mite populations belong to the order Entomophthorales and include Neozygites spp. Studies are being carried out to develop some of these fungi as mycoacaricides, as stand-alone control measures in an inundative strategy to replace the synthetic acaricides currently in use or as a component of integrated mite management. Although emphasis has been put on inundative releases, entomopathogenic fungi can also be used in classical, conservation and augmentative biological control. Permanent establishment of an exotic agent in a new area of introduction may be possible in the case of spider mites. Conservation biological control can be achieved by identifying strategies to promote any natural enemies already present within crop ecosystems, based on a thorough understanding of their biology, ecology and behaviour. Further research should focus on development of efficient mass production systems, formulation, and delivery systems of fungal pathogens.

Factors affecting transmission of fungal pathogens of aphids

Fungal pathogens are the most important pathogens of aphids (Homoptera: Aphididae), and epizootics, particularly those caused by Entomophthorales (Zygomycota), are frequently observed and often rapidly reduce aphid populations. Fungi in the Hypocreales (Ascomycota) are less commonly found infecting aphids but can be important. The transmission of aphid fungal pathogens is affected by many factors, including: host biology and structure, pathogen characteristics, host-plant characteristics, and environmental factors. This paper is an overview of selected factors affecting transmission of aphid pathogens.

Time-concentration-mortality modeling of the synergistic interaction of Beauveria bassiana and imidacloprid against Nilaparvata lugens

Interactions between the entomopathogenic fungus, Beauveria bassiana SG8702, and imidacloprid on Nilaparvata lugens (Homoptera: Delphacidae) were studied in laboratory bioassays by spraying suspensions of unformulated conidia (assay 1) and aqueous dilutions of emulsifiable conidia formulation alone (assay 2) or together with imidacloprid at the sub-lethal rates of 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 microg ml(-1) (assays 3-5). Each assay consisted of five conidia concentrations plus an appropriate control and three replicates, each including 30-40 third-instar nymphs, so as to generate time-concentration-mortality data for modeling analysis. A mineral oil-based emulsion used to formulate B bassiana slightly enhanced fungal activity but had no significant impact on the background mortality of N lugens. On the basis of LC50 estimates and associated variances on days 4-12 after spraying, synergistic interactions of both agents or formulations were determined by estimating relative potencies of assay 2 over assay 1 (1.2-9.0), assay 3 over assay 2 (1.3-1.7), assay 4 over assay 2 (7.5-9.6), assay 5 over assay 2 (22.7-101), assay 4 over assay 3 (3.8-5.8), assay 5 over assay 3 (16.1-61.0), and assay 5 over assay 4 (3.0-10.5). The time-concentration-mortality modeling method was not only mathematically but also biologically robust to evaluate the interactions of B bassiana and imidacloprid on N lugens. Compared with their counterparts, enhanced fungal formulations displayed consistently earlier or greater activities against the pest species based on LC50 and LT50 estimates determined from their time-concentration-mortality relationships. The results highlight a potential for pest control by combined formulation or application of B bassiana and imidacloprid.

Impact of the entomopathogenic fungus Verticillium lecanii on development of an aphid parasitoid, Aphidius colemani

The parasitoid Aphidius colemani developed normally (approximately 90% adult emergence) when its cotton aphid (Aphis gossypii) host was treated with Verticillum lecanii conidia 5 or 7 days after parasitization. Fungus exposure 1 day before or up to 3 days after parasitization, however, reduced A. colemani emergence from 0 to 10%. Also, numbers of spores and mycelial fragments in aphid homogenates were much higher in aphids exposed to the fungus up to 3 days after parasitization than in aphids treated after 5 or 7 days. Our results suggest that the parasitoid and fungus may be used together for aphid biocontrol as long as fungus applications are timed to allow late-instar development of the parasitoid.

ISSR, ERIC and RAPD techniques to detect genetic diversity in the aphid pathogen Pandora neoaphidis

The entomopathogenic fungus Pandora neoaphidis is an important natural enemy of aphids. ISSR, ERIC (Enterobacterial Repetitive Intergenic Consensus) and RAPD PCR-based DNA fingerprint analyses were undertaken to study intra-specific variation amongst 30 isolates of P. neoaphidis worldwide, together with six closely related species of Entomophthorales. All methods yielded scorable binary characters, and distance matrices were constructed from both individual and combined data sets. Neighbour-joining was used to construct consensus phylogenetic trees which showed that although P. neoaphidis isolates were highly polymorphic they separated into a monophyletic group compared with the other Entomophthorales tested. Three distinct subclades were found, with UK isolates occupying two of these. No specific correlation with aphid host species was established for any of the isolates apart from those in one cluster which contained isolates obtained from nettle aphid, Microlophium carnosum. ERIC, ISSR and RAPD analysis allowed the rapid genetic characterisation and differentiation of isolates with the generation of potential isolate- and cluster specific-diagnostic DNA markers.

PCR-based molecular discrimination of Pandora neoaphidis isolates from related entomopathogenic fungi and development of species-specific diagnostic primers

Studies were performed to assess the genetic variation amongst isolates of the aphid-pathogenic fungus Pandora neoaphidis (syn. Erynia neoaphidis). 37 isolates were examined, from a range of pest and non-pest aphid species, as well as 21 from eight other entomophthoralean species. Universal primers were used to amplify the ITS rDNA regions and all of the species tested produced discrete ITS groups, with the exception of Conidiobolus spp. Neighbour-joining analysis of the ITS2 regions from P. neoaphidis, P. kondoiensis and Zoophthora radicans demonstrated that these three species formed distinct groups with sequence identities of 58-82% between the groups. An ITS size of ca 1,100 bp was diagnostic for P. neoaphidis, while ca 1,450 bp was characteristic of P. kondoiensis. ITS-RFLP analysis failed to yield intraspecific polymorphisms in any of the P. neoaphidis isolates screened, although it was useful in distinguishing between different entomophthoralean species. Some intraspecific variation in the ITS region was detected in a number of isolates of Z. radicans and Conidiobolus spp. We propose that two isolates previously identified as P. neoaphidis based on conidia morphology, are actually P. kondoiensis based on molecular studies. Sequencing analysis of the complete ITS region from P. neoaphidis and P. kondoiensis allowed species-specific primers to be developed for P. neoaphidis and P. kondoiensis. These were used to screen aphids infected in laboratory bioassays and from field-collected samples, without prior isolation of the fungus. The primers are useful tools for quantifying the epizootiology of P. neoaphidis in aphid populations, as well as assessing competitive interactions between these two species.

IGS sequence variation, group-I introns and the complete nuclear ribosomal DNA of the entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium: excellent tools for isolate detection and phylogenetic analysis

The complete nuclear rDNA gene complex of Metarhizium anisopliae var. anisopliae isolate ME1 is 8118bp long and contains the 18S, 5.8S, and 28S rRNA genes as well as the ITS and IGS regions. Variation in the ITS of isolates of M. anisopliae var. anisopliae and one each of Metarhizium anisopliae var. acridum, Metarhizium flavoviride var. flavoviride, and Metarhizium flavoviride var. minus, clustered 39 out of 40 of M. anisopliae var. anisopliae isolates in one clade. Nucleotide sequence variation in the IGS among 21 of M. anisopliae var. anisopliae isolates showing IGS length variation sorted them into three strongly supported clades, which were weakly correlated with insect hosts and were not correlated with geographic location. Two group-I introns, Ma-int4 and Ma-int5, were discovered in the 18S and the 3(') end of the 28S, in M. anisopliae var. anisopliae isolates ITALY-12 and IMBST 9601. The insertion sites and sub-group of these introns correlated with their closest relatives, as judged by phylogenetic analysis of intron nucleotide sequence.

Laboratory evaluation of temperature effects on the germination and growth of entomopathogenic fungi and on their pathogenicity to two aphid species

As part of an approach to select potential mycoinsecticides for aphid biocontrol, we investigated the effects of temperature on the growth, germination and pathogenicity of some hyphomycete fungi. Commercially available mycoinsecticides (based on Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) Vuillemin and Verticillium lecanii (Zimmermann) Viegas) and other isolates of B bassiana, V lecanii, Metarhizium anisopliae (Metschnikoff) Sorokin and Paecilomyces fumosoroseus (Wize) Brown & Smith were evaluated. The rate of in vitro conidial germination of all isolates was slower at 10 and 15 degrees C than at 20 and 25 degrees C. Similarly, in vitro growth of most isolates was adversely affected at 10 and 15 degrees C. The greatest reduction at 10 degrees C in rates of conidial germination and colony growth, compared with other temperatures, was for M anisopliae isolates. Germination of V lecanii (isolate HRI 1.72) was fastest at 10 degrees C compared with the other fungi. It was also the most pathogenic of three isolates tested against Aphis fabae Scopoli and Myzus persicae Sulzer at 10, 18 and 23 degrees C. Generally, A fabae was more susceptible than M persicae to infection by the fungal isolates tested. A significant interaction between aphid species and temperature indicated that the pathogenic nature of an isolate was dependent not only on the target aphid species but also the temperature conditions of the bioassay. The series of studies, detailed above, allowed a temperature profile to be formed for the different isolates. Verticillium lecanii isolate HRI 1.72 (commercialised as Vertalec) was the most promising isolate selected from results of the series of experiments. Temperature profiles in conjunction with infectivity assays can be useful in selecting appropriate isolates for a particular thermal environment.

Sequencing of new beauverolides by high-performance liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry

Mass spectrometry (MS) and tandem mass spectrometry (MS(n)) were used for the identification of beauverolides in the fermentation broth of Beauveria bassiana and for evaluation of the purified fraction obtained by sublimation of beauverolides. Besides being a new efficient route for purification of beauverolides, sublimation provided an enrichment of new minor lipophilic beauverolides of lower molecular weight from the original complex mycelial extract. The product ion collision-induced dissociation (CID) spectra obtained on an ion trap (electrospray ionization), the in-source CID mass spectra on a sector instrument (atmospheric-pressure chemical ionization) and the post-source decay matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectra of beauverolides were compared and evaluated. All MS(n) experiments started with singly charged precursor ions. The following two new representatives of this group of compounds were identified by high-performance liquid chromatography and MS (HPLC/MS): cyclo-(3-hydroxy-4-methyloctanoyl-valyl-alanyl-leucyl) and cyclo-(3-hydroxy-4-methyloctanoyl-tyrosyl-alanyl-leucyl). Individual structures were confirmed by preparative isolation and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The structure of a third novel and minor beauverolide was tentatively assigned by HPLC/MS only as cyclo-(3-hydroxy-4-methyldecanoyl-valyl-alanyl-Lxx), Lxx = leucyl, isoleucyl, or allo-isoleucyl.

Effects of biorational pesticides on four coccinellid species (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) having potential as biological control agents in interiorscapes

The direct toxicity of insecticidal soap, horticultural oil, Azatin, an extract from the Neem tree containing azadiractin, and BotainiGard, a commercial formulation of the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana, was assessed on adults of four species of coccinellids--Hippodamia convergens (Guérin-Ménéville), Coleomegilla maculata (DeGeer), Harmonia axyridis Pallas, and Cryptolaemus montrouzieri Mulsant. All biorationals caused less mortality than a conventional pesticide, carbaryl (Sevin). Horticultural oil (Sunspray ultrafine oil) consistently had no effect on beetle survivorship. Insecticidal soap (M-Pede) significantly reduced survival in all replicates for C. maculata and in at least one of the three replicates for the other three coccinellid species. Beauveria bassiana (BotaniGard) significantly reduced survival of C. montrouzieri at 72 h after spray in all three replicates. Azatin reduced survivorship in only one species, C. maculata, in only one of the three replicates.

Modeling and biological implication of time-dose-mortality data for the entomophthoralean fungus, zoophthora anhuiensis, on the green peach aphid myzus persicae

The entomophthoralean fungus Zoophthora anhuiensis frequently causes epizootics in populations of the green peach aphid, Myzus persicae, infesting cruciferous crops in the middle and lower regions of the Changjiang River, China, during late autumn and early winter. In this study, a bioassay was conducted by exposing aphids on detached leaves to varying doses of Z. anhuiensis conidia discharged from in vitro cultures. Ten doses (1.5-198 conidia/mm2) were used, with each dose including 64-120 aphids. The aphids were maintained at 18 degreesC under a photophase of 12:12 (L:D) and observed daily for mortality. The resulting time-dose-mortality data fitted well to a conditional mortality probability model based on the Hosmer-Lemeshow test (C = 9.52, df = 8, P = 0.70), resulting in a cumulative mortality probability model. The parameters from the latter model were used to estimate the lethal dose (LD50) and time (LT50) for the fungal species against the pest. The LD50 values were 87, 44, and 34 conidia/mm2 on days 5, 6, and 7 after exposure, respectively. The estimates of the LT50 values decreased from 6.7 days at 37 conidia/mm2 to 4.5 days at 198 conidia/mm2. The results indicate that Z. anhuiensis could be a promising aphid pathogen for microbial control competitive with other Zoophthora species. The model is recommended for use in the analysis of time-dose-mortality data for fungus-insect associations. The biological implications of the parameters and the advantages of the modeling technique over the conventional method of probit analysis are discussed. Copyright 1998 Academic Press.