Entomopathogenic fungi naturally infecting the eucalypt bronze bug,Thaumastocoris peregrinus(Heteroptera: Thaumastocoridae), in Uruguay

• DOI: 10.1111/jen.12624
• Publication Date: 2019-03-26T11:41:08Z
• Authors: Belén Corallo; Sofia Simeto; Gonzalo Martínez; Demian Gómez; Eduardo Abreo; Nora Altier; Sandra Lupo
• Keywords: Beauveria; Paecilomyces; Bassiana; Peregrinus

Abstract Thaumastocoris peregrinus Carpintero & Dellapé (Heteroptera: Thaumastocoridae) is a sap‐sucking insect that feeds on leaves of Eucalyptus. In Uruguay, it was detected in 2008 causing significant economic losses Eucalyptus plantations. At present, there no efficient control for this pest; thus, the use biological agents seems to be an environmentally friendly alternative reduce damage caused by insect. The aims study were isolate and identify species entomopathogenic fungi naturally infect T. Uruguay characterize select most virulent isolates towards pest . Individuals collected eight plantations infested pest. isolated identified observation their micromorphological characteristics, identity confirmed molecular methods. pathogenicity virulence against evaluated. Isolates highest mortality selected evaluate effect temperature water activity conidial viability. Entomopathogenic found very low number with prevalence less than 3%. corresponded Beauveria , Fusarium Isaria Lecanicillium Paecilomyces Pochonia Purpureocillium Simplicillium genera. Two species, B. pseudobassiana L. muscarium, first recorded Uruguay. Among all tested bassiana (FI 2403) showed followed presented percentage spore germination at three temperatures viability activities. Isolate FI 2403 as promissory candidate development commercial formulation