Genetic diversity of Glycaspis brimblecombei (Hemiptera: Aphalaridae) and its parasitoid Psyllaephagus bliteus (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) in Brazil

Isolation and molecular characterization of Cordyceps sp. from Bemisia tabaci (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) and pathogenic to Glycaspis brimblecombei (Hemiptera: Aphalaridae)

Abstract The Brazilian forestry sector stands out for its technology, forestry management practices, social and environmental responsibility and, mainly, for its high productivity and exotic pests can reduce it. The red gum lerp psyllid Glycaspis brimblecombei (Moore, 1964) (Hemiptera: Aphalaridae) is an important pest in Eucalyptus plantations. The parasitoid Psyllaephagus bliteus (Riek, 1962) (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae), predatory bugs and entomopathogenic fungi such as Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae are the natural enemies and used in the biological control of the red gum lerp psyllid. The use of entomopathogenic fungi against exotic pests is increasing in the forestry sector and the prospecting and identification of fungus isolates is important for integrated pest management. The objective of this work was the isolation and molecular identification of Cordyceps spp. And to evaluate the pathogenicity of isolates, obtained from Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius, 1889) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) adults, against to the red gum lerp psyllid G. brimblecombei. The fungi were isolated from B. tabaci adults found in soybean and tomato crops and molecularly identified. The conidia obtained were suspended in solution with Tween 80 (0.1%) at a concentration of 1.0 × 108 conidia/mL and sprayed on ten G. brimblecombei nymphs per Eucalyptus leaf cut and placed on a hydroretentive gel inside per Petri dishes as a replication. The number of dead insects was quantified, daily, for seven days, and transferred to humid chambers. Cordyceps javanica (LCBPF 11) and C. fumosorosea (LCBPF 12 and LCBPF 63) were identified with a molecular analysis and all isolates were pathogenic to the insects and indicates that they could be used to manage G. brimblecombei and adds to reports that, normally, fungi cause greater mortality on insects of the same order as that from which they were isolated.

Entomopathogenic Fungi, Isolated From Soils and Bemisia tabaci (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) Adults, to Manage the Eucalyptus Red Gum Lerp Psyllid Glycaspis brimblecombei (Hemiptera: Aphalaridae)

The parasitoid Psyllaephagus bliteus Riek (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae), entomopathogenic fungi, and chemical insecticides are the main strategies to manage the eucalypts pest Glycaspis brimblecombei Moore. The objective of this study was to isolate and to identify entomopathogenic fungi, collected from Bemisia tabaci Gennadius adults in soybean and tomato crops, and from soil samples in eucalypts, soybean, and native forest areas to evaluate their potential to manage G. brimblecombei. Twelve Beauveria and Cordyceps isolates were selected and compared with the commercial products Boveril Beauveria bassiana Bals. (Hypocreales: Cordycipitaceae), Metarril Metarhizium anisopliae Metschn. (Hypocreales: Clavicipitaceae), and Octane Cordyceps fumosorosea Wize (Hypocreales: Cordycipitaceae) and their respective strains. The fungal isolates were diluted in 0.1% aqueous Tween 80 at a concentration of 1.0 × 108 conidia/ml and sprayed on the G. brimblecombei nymphs with or without lerps. Pest mortality was higher and the TL50 and TL90 lower with the isolates LCBPF 11 C. javanica Frieder. & Bally (Hypocreales: Cordycipitaceae), LCBPF 12 (C. fumosorosea), and LCBPF 67 (C. fumosorosea) from B. tabaci adults. Fungi of the genera Beauveria and Cordyceps developed and caused high mortality of G. brimblecombei nymphs with lerps. The B. bassiana, C. cateniannulata Liang (Hypocreales: Cordycipitaceae), C. fumosorosea, C. javanica, and M. anisopliae isolates showed potential to manage G. brimblecombei. The lerp of this insect enhances entomopathogenic fungus development as a source of inoculum accelerating G. brimblecombei nymph mortality. Entomopathogenic fungi isolated from insects and soils are effective against G. brimblecombei and the presence of the lerp of this insect increases the effectiveness of its control.