Mortality of the Toad Grasshopper (Bufonacris claraziana Saussure) Caused by Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) Vullemin (Hypocreales: Clavicipitaceae) by Two Inoculation Methods under Field-Cage Conditions

Authors

  • Yanina Mariottini Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas (UNICEN-CIC). Instituto Multidisciplinario sobre Ecosistemas y desarrollo sustentable. Campus Universitario Tandil. Paraje Arroyo seco S/N https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3987-0412
  • Sebastián Alberto Pelizza Universidad Nacional de La Plata Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo (FCNyM-UNLP). Instituto de Botánica Carlos Spegazzini. Calle 53 # 477. La Plata (1900). Argentina https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0936-3217
  • Lucas Emanuel Castelli Grupo de Entomología Patagónica (GENTPAT), Instituto Patagónico para el Estudio de los Ecosistemas Continentales (IPEEC-CENPAT-CONICET). Bvd. Brown 2915. Puerto Madryn. Chubut. Argentina https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3551-6328
  • Franco Armento Servicio Nacional de Sanidad y Calidad Agroalimentaria (SENASA). Centro Regional Patagonia Sur. Pasaje San Juan 840, El Maitén. Chubut
  • Carlos Ernesto Lange Universidad Nacional de La Plata (UNLP). Centro de Estudios Parasitológicos y de Vectores (CEPAVE). CCT La Plata CONICET. Boulevard 120 e/60 y 64 S/N. La Plata (1900). Argentina https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4388-9164

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.48162.rev.39.209

Keywords:

field-cage experience, baits and spraying inoculations, Bufonacris claraziana , Patagonia Argentina, entomopathogenic fungus

Abstract

Bufonacris claraziana Saussure (Orthoptera: Tristiridae) is a pest grasshopper species in Patagonia, Argentina. Outbreaks of B. claraziana have gained frequency in recent years. This study compared three infection methods (spraying and baits) on B. claraziana mortality caused by Beauveria bassiana under field-cage conditions in the natural habitat. The study was conducted in Cushamen, a typical outbreak area in Chubut province. Three treatments were tested: Treatment I involved spraying with a fungal suspension (1×108 conidia/ml), treatment II used wheat bran baits with the same suspension, and treatment III used wheat bran baits with added canola oil as a phagostimulant. Mortality rates were monitored every 24 hours for 15 days. Total mortality differed among the treatments (F: 17.58; p: 0.0007). After 15 days, mortality was 60%, 70%, and 100% for treatments I, II, and III, respectively. No mortality was observed in treatments I and II until day 5, while treatment III showed 36.7% mortality by day 5 and reached 100% by day 10. Kaplan-Meier survival curves indicated significant differences in survival among treatments, with the lowest survival in treatment III (log-rank test p<0.05). Wheat bran bait with canola oil (treatment III) was the most effective inoculation.

Highlights:

  • This is the first study comparing two infection methods of Beauveria bassiana against Bufonacris claraziana under field-cage conditions.
  • Total mortality reached 60%, 70%, and 100% for spray, bait, and bait + canola oil treatments, respectively.
  • Survival analysis revealed significantly lower survival in the bait + canola oil treatment.
  • Wheat bran baits with canola oil enhanced fungal efficacy by protecting conidia and stimulating nymph feeding, being the most effective treatment in this study.
  • Results confirm B. bassiana as a promising biocontrol agent for managing B. claraziana outbreaks in Patagonia.

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Published

27-03-2026

How to Cite

Mariottini, Y., Pelizza, S. A., Castelli, L. E., Armento, F., & Lange, C. E. (2026). Mortality of the Toad Grasshopper (Bufonacris claraziana Saussure) Caused by Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) Vullemin (Hypocreales: Clavicipitaceae) by Two Inoculation Methods under Field-Cage Conditions. evista e a acultad e iencias grarias NCuyo, 58(1), e8152. https://doi.org/10.48162.rev.39.209

Issue

Vol. 58 No. 1 (2026): January-June

Section

Plant protection

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