Control capacity of the LPSc 1067 strain of Beauveria bassiana (Ascomycota: Hypocreales) on different species of grasshoppers (Orthoptera: Acrididae: Melanoplinae), agricultural pests in Argentina

Authors

  • Sebastian Alberto Pelizza Instituto de Botánica Carlos Spegazzini (FCNyM-UNLP). Calle 53 # 477. La Plata (1900). Argentina https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0936-3217
  • Micaela Mancini Instituto Multidisciplinario de Ecosistemas y Desarrollo Sustentable (UNICEN). Paraje Arroyo Seco S/N. Tandil (7000). Argentina https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8021-4425
  • Leticia Russo Instituto de Botánica Carlos Spegazzini (FCNyM-UNLP). Calle 53 # 477. La Plata (1900). Argentina
  • Florencia Vianna Instituto de Botánica Carlos Spegazzini (FCNyM-UNLP). Calle 53 # 477. La Plata (1900). Argentina
  • Ana Clara Scorsetti Instituto de Botánica Carlos Spegazzini (FCNyM-UNLP). Calle 53 # 477. La Plata (1900). Argentina

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.48162/rev.39.099

Keywords:

Hongos entomopatógenos, Biocontrol, Beauveria bassiana, Plagas

Abstract

Grasshoppers affect agriculture worldwide, causing serious economic damage. Currently, the application of chemical insecticides against grasshoppers is the only effective strategy, even considering the significant environmental concern. This study aimed to test the entomopathogenic fungi Beauveria bassiana (LPSc 1067) as biocontrol agent on six harmful grasshopper species in Argentina. Significant differences were observed (DF= 5; F= 9.93; P<0.0001) when considering B. bassiana pathogenicity on third-instar nymphs of the different grasshopper species. The highest mortality (100%) was registered on Trimerotropis pallidipennis and Dichroplus maculipennis nymphs while the lowest mortality (48.6 ±3.5%) was observed on Scotussa lemniscata nymphs. The lowest mean survival time (MST) was recorded for T. pallidipennis (3.5 ±0.15 days) and the highest MST was observed on Dichroplus pratensis nymphs (7.48 ±0.28 days). Results suggest that B. bassiana LPSc 1067 may constitute an excellent candidate to be further studied as biological control agent of T. pallidipennis and D. maculipennis.

Highlights:

  • Melanoplinae grasshoppers include several species considered plagues.
  • Entomopathogenic fungi as biocontrol agents are considered excellent alternatives to chemical control.
  • The efficacy of bassiana (LPSc 1067) on six grasshopper species of Argentina.
  • The isolate LPSc 1067 could be considered a biological controller pallidipennis and D. maculipennis.

Downloads

Published

05-07-2023

Issue

Section

Plant protection