Bio-efficacy of the indigenous entomopathogenic fungus, Beauveria bassiana in conjunction with desiccant dust to control of coleopteran stored product pests

doi:10.1016/j.jip.2019.107254

Journal of Invertebrate Pathology

Volume 168, November 2019, 107254

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jip.2019.107254 Get rights and content

Highlights

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B. bassiana-IRAN441C and diatomaceous earth (DE) suppressed adult beetles.
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Co-application of B. bassiana with DE produced higher mortality.
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F₁ progeny reduction dosed at the LC₅₀s combination was 88.3–98.5 percent.
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Avoidance behaviors resulted from presence of DE and/or fungal propagules.
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The mixtures generated winged morphs of Callosobruchus maculatus in 7 weeks.

Abstract

The insecticidal activity and effects of sublethal combinations of the fungus, Beauveria bassiana-IRAN441C and commercial diatomaceous earth (DE) were assessed on adult coleopterans, Callosobruchus maculatus (F.) (Chrysomelidae), and Oryzaephilus surinamensis (L.) (Silvanidae). Dry conidia and DE were applied singly or in combination. The agents produced acceptable mortality, however, results were not affected by species of host plant seeds fed to the beetles. F₁ progeny reduction was notably increased in both beetle species when mixtures of the fungus and DE were each at the LC₅₀ level. In addition to avoidance behavior, different combinations of fungus/DE dosages induced winged morphs (non-reproductive phase) in the C. maculatus population after 50 d exposure. Our results demonstrated that a combination of B. bassiana and DE resulted in high mortality of both beetle species and co-application of B. bassiana and DE is feasible in a stored product pest management program.

Graphical abstract

Introduction

Using eco-friendly stored product pest management tactics is imperative to safely reduce quantitative and qualitative losses of agricultural products. Globally, conventional chemical contact insecticides and fumigants (phosphine, methyl bromide) are widely used as grain protectants (Agrafioti and Athanassiou, 2018). Resistance to synthesized insecticides is well documented in sawtoothed grain beetle, Oryzaephilus surinamensis (L.) (Coleoptera: Silvanidae) (Lee and Lees, 2001, Agrafioti and Athanassiou, 2018) and in cowpea weevil, Callosobruchus maculatus (F.) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) (Kang et al., 2013), primarily pests of stored beans and cereals, respectively (Singh and Emden, 1979). To minimize adverse effects of chemical insecticides, researchers are attempting to develop alternatives that are environmentally friendly substitutes (Batta and Kavallieratos, 2018). Use of entomopathogenic fungus (EPF) and diatomaceous earth (DE), both of which are eco-friendly options, has been shown to have potential in managing stored product insect pests (Lord, 2001). The entomopathogenic fungus, Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) Vuillemin (Ascomycota: Hypocreales), is globally distributed and is one of the best studied of the entomopathogenic fungi (EPF). Isolates of native EPF possess considerable genetic diversity and have been shown to be an ample reservoir of potential biocontrol agents to be conserved or inundatively released into the agroecosystem for insect control (Quesada-Moraga et al., 2007).

Diatomaceous earth affects insects via cuticular abrasion and lipid layer adsorption (Lord, 2001, Badii et al., 2014), but are slow-acting in contrast with other grain protectants (Korunic et al., 1998). On the other hand, earlier studies showed that epicuticular abrasion through DE application may improve B. bassiana efficacy (Lord, 2001). Hence, we hypothesized that indigenous B. bassiana that are compatible with a DE formulation would potentially act effectively in controlling stored product beetles when utilized in a co-application program. We focused on B. bassiana strain efficiency when combined with commercial DE (as biophysical stress factors) and ensure that neither of the two compounds produced adverse side effects on F₁ progeny when utilized in stored-product control programs.

Section snippets

Grain material and insect preparations

Both beetle colonies (cowpea weevil and sawtoothed grain beetle) were maintained on sterilized adapted local host plants in the laboratory. C. maculatus was reared on cowpeas (Vigna unguiculata L. var. Parastoo) and mung beans (V. radiata L. var. Gohar) according to Bandara and Saxena, (1995). O. surinamensis was reared and adults were maintained on cracked wheat (Triticum aestivum var. Sardari), and barley (Hordeum vulgare L. var. Nosrat). Each species was cultured in ventilated 1.5 L plastic

Insecticidal activity of B. bassiana and DE on C. maculatus and O surinamensis

Dry conidia and inert dust dose-response experiments were conducted simultaneously to obtain an accurate estimate of sublethal concentrations of B. bassiana IRAN441C and DE SilicoSec® for assessment of their insecticidal activity to adult beetles on different commodity. For each beetle species, LC₂₅ and LC₅₀ values of strain 441C and DE on each commodity are shown in more detail in Table 1. Results of the LDR test (95% CL) showed no differences in adult C. maculatus and O. surinamensis

Discussion

The lethal agents B. bassiana IRAN441C and DE produced acceptable insecticidal activity in C. maculatus and O surinamensis adults in dry powder dose-response applications. Strain 441C (from host Rhynchophorus ferrugineus) was obtained from Saravan, Sistan-Baluchestan Province, Iran, a hot, dry desert climate. Isolates from hot-temperate agroecosystems were reported to be highly virulent to H. armigera larvae (Kalvnadi et al., 2018). Disparities in adult beetle sensitivity to 441C might be

Conclusion

The use of B. bassiana-IRAN441C strain combined with the commercial SilicoSec® DE-products was additive and resulted in higher adult mortality than B. bassiana alone or DE alone. B. bassiana and DE are cost-effective solutions for programs designed to protect stored commodities against C. maculatus and O. surinamensis and, used together, have potential to replace conventional insecticides in stored product pest management. Production of a repellent effect due to migratory morph induction or

Acknowledgments

We thank the Health Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences for financial support. We are also grateful to Elham Kalvandi for assistance with laboratory experiments. We thank the Iranian Research Institute of Plant Protection (IRIP) for strain of B. bassiana IRAN441C.

Conflicts of interest

The authors have no conflict of interest.

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Effectiveness of diatomaceous earth combined with chlorfluazuron and hexaflumuron in the control of Callosobruchus maculatus and C. chinensis on stored cowpea seeds
2022, Journal of Stored Products Research
Citation Excerpt :
Efficacy of DE against bruchid insects was also improved when DE was combined with biopesticides. For example, Khoobdel et al. (2019) observed that the entomopathogenic fungus, Beauveria bassiana Balsamo (Vuillemin) (Deuteromycota: Hyphomycetes) increased the insecticidal effect of DE against C. maculatus adults in the combined treatments. Gad et al. (2021b) indicated that the binary combination (500 mg/kg of DE + 0.5 mg/kg of spinosad) increased adult mortality of C. maculatus and C. chinensis compared with separate treatments.
The insecticidal potential of diatomaceous earth (DE), two chitin synthesis inhibitors [chlorfluazuron (CH) and hexaflumuron (HE)] and their binary mixtures was tested against Callosobruchus maculatus (F.) and C. chinensis (L.) on cowpea seeds. Diatomaceous earth was assessed at rates of 100, 500 and 1000 mg/kg. The two insecticides (CH and HE) were evaluated at rates of 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 mg/kg. The mortality of adults was recorded after 7 days, progeny production, seed weight loss and seeds germination were tested after 45 days of treatment. The combined treatments of DE with CH or HE produced higher adult mortality of both insect species than the individual treatments. The maximum adult mortality of C. maculatus (100.0%) and C. chinensis (97.4%) achieved in a binary combination of DE (1000 mg/kg) + CH (2.0 mg/kg) after 7 days of exposure. Likewise, a complete mortality of both insect species was obtained in the mixtures of DE (500 mg/kg) + HE (2.0 mg/kg) and DE (1000 mg/kg) + HE (2.0 mg/kg) after 7 days. Progeny of C. maculatus and C. chinensis was significantly decreased in all tested treatments compared with untreated cowpea seeds. Furthermore, the mixtures of DE (1000 mg/kg) + CH (2.0 mg/kg) and DE (1000 mg/kg) + HE (2.0 mg/kg) induced complete protection of cowpea seeds (weight loss <0.5%) against damage caused by C. maculatus and C. chinensis after 45 days. The results indicate that the combinations of DE with CH or HE at low rates seem to be an effective approach for the control of two bruchids on stored cowpeas.
Effectiveness of two inert dusts in conjunction with carbon dioxide for the control of Callosobruchus maculatus and C. chinensis in stored cowpea seeds
2022, Journal of Stored Products Research
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This enhancement of insecticidal efficacy of inert dusts was also observed with other insect management products. For instance, Khoobdel et al. (2019) stated that the binary mixtures of DE and entomopathogenic Beauveria bassiana Balsamo (Vuillemin) (Hypocreales: Cordycipitaceae) increased mortality of C. maculatus adults more than DE or fungus alone. Karimzadeh et al. (2020) demonstrated that combinations of ash or kaolin with high temperatures caused higher toxicity than the individual treatments to C. maculatus.
The insecticidal potential of two inert dusts, zeolite (ZE) and kaolin (KA), and carbon dioxide (CA) and their binary combinations was evaluated against Callosobruchus maculatus (F.) and C. chinensis L. (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Bruchinae). The inert dusts were applied on cowpea seeds at 100, 500 and 1000 mg/kg, and CA was tested at 10 and 20% for 12 h. The adult mortality was counted after 1, 3 and 7 days of treatment, and progeny production and weight loss of cowpea seeds were examined after 60 days. The adult mortality of both insect species exposed to cowpeas treated with individual and binary treatments increased with the increase of concentration and exposure time. In general, the adult mortality was higher in binary treatments than individual treatments. The full adult mortality (100.0%) was observed in combined treatment (ZE (1000 mg/kg) + CA (20%)) after 1 and 3 days in the case of C. chinensis and after 3 days in the case of C. maculatus. Similarly, the combined treatments of CA (20%) with three rates of ZE (100, 500 and 1000 mg/kg), and CA (20%) with three rates of KA (100, 500 and 1000 mg/kg) induced 100% mortality of both insect species after 7 days except for CA (20%) + KA (100 mg/kg) against C. chinensis. Progeny of C. maculatus and C. chinensis was significantly reduced in individual and binary treatments compared with untreated cowpea seeds. The highest application rates of the binary mixtures of inert dusts with CA induced strong progeny reduction and complete protection of cowpea seeds against damage caused by both insect species for 60 days. Our results indicated that the binary treatments of inert dusts (ZE and KA), with CA seems to be a promising alternative to synthetic insecticides for the control of bruchid insects on stored legumes.
Diatomaceous earth low-lethal dose effects on the fitness of entomopathogenic fungus, Beauveria bassiana, against two coleopteran stored product pests
2021, Journal of Stored Products Research
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Stored-product environments are often arid; thus, B. bassiana efficacy encounters some challenges in successfully controlling the stored pests population (Rumbos and Athanassiou, 2017). A combined application method can be advantageous for warehousing's practical purpose to provide better biocontrol in terms of efficacy (Akbar et al., 2004; Rumbos and Athanassiou, 2017; Batta and Kavallieratos, 2018; Khoobdel et al., 2019). Diatomaceous earth has widely been considered an efficient agent for controlling a broad range of insect pests in storage (Korunic et al., 1998; Batta and Kavallieratos, 2018; Korunić et al., 2020).
Efficacy of different doses of the Beauveria bassiana-IRAN441C alone (66,125, 250, 500, 1000 mg conidia. Kg⁻¹ grains) and combined with a low-lethal dose (LD₂₅) of diatomaceous earth (DE) SilicoSec® as lethal agents were assessed against the adults of Callosobruchus maculatus (F.) (Chrysomelidae) on mung, and cowpeas, and Oryzaephilus surinamensis (L.) (Silvanidae) on wheat and barley seeds. In both species, mortality reached 60–73% in B. bassiana alone and 83–100% in fungus combined with the DE at the highest dose. A synergistic effect between B. bassiana conidia and the DE was confirmed. The DE low-lethal dose alters fungal mycosis and sporogenesis (conidia mL⁻¹) rates in the infected cadavers. The adult populations of both species were suppressed desirably despite a decrease in the number of cadaver-derived mycosis and their spore production at the highest combination doses (1000 mg kg⁻¹+ LD₂₅ of DE). Seed type had no significant effect on mycosis and sporogenesis on both insects in several combination doses. The cadaver-derived aerial conidia germination rate was increased in the presence of DE low-lethal dose, but it declined by increasing the fungal dose. Type of commodity failed to affect the germination rate of O. surinamensis-derived conidia; however, the mung bean intensified this case for another insect. In both beetles, offspring's emergence was suppressed dose-dependently seven weeks after removing exposed parents to the lethal agents as well it was more in doses mixed with DE. The most significant reduction in progeny production of treated C. maculatus occurred on cowpeas and that of treated O. surinamensis on wheat seeds. Our findings demonstrate that DE's low-lethal dose enhances the virulence of B. bassiana in the various mixtures synergistically, and co-applications of the two substances were feasible. As well, the lethal agents' adverse effects were found to carry over onto both species' offspring during two-month storage time.
Efficacy of different entomopathogenic fungal isolates against four key stored-grain beetle species
2021, Journal of Stored Products Research
The development of resistance in stored-grain insect pests can be effectively reduced by using biological control methods. Entomopathogenic fungi have been under consideration as complementary and alternative agents to synthetic insecticides. The aim of this study is to identify the pathogenic potential of four different fungal isolates of Beauveria bassiana (Bals.-Criv.) Vuill. (Hypocreales: Cordycipitaceae) (WG-47, WG-48, WG-50, WG-51) and three isolates of Metarhizium anisopliae (Metchnikoff) Sorokin (Hypocreales: Clavicipitaceae) (WG-46, WG-49, WG-52) against the adult stages of the lesser grain borer, Rhyzopertha dominica (F.) (Coleoptera: Bostrychidae), the granary weevil, Sitophilus granarius (L.) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), the red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) and the khapra beetle, Trogoderma granarium Everts (Coleoptera: Dermestidae) at 1 × 10⁶, 1 × 10⁷, 1 × 10⁸ and 1 × 10⁹ conidia/kg wheat. Mortality was found dose dependent among all the tested species. Rhyzopertha dominica was the most susceptible followed by S. granarius, T. castaneum and T. granarium. Among the different isolates B. bassiana caused higher mortality compared to M. anisopliae. The isolates WG-50 and WG-51 of B. bassiana provided maximum mortality among the different tested species and led to lower F1 individuals compared to the controls. Our study indicates that entomopathogenic fungi have an elevated potential to successfully manage the aforementioned coleopteran species on stored wheat.
Insecticidal efficacy of two inert dusts and Trichoderma harzianum, applied alone or in combination, against Callosobruchus maculatus and Callosobruchus chinensis on stored cowpea seeds
2021, Crop Protection
Citation Excerpt :
Riasat et al. (2011) showed that treatment of wheat with a mixture of B. bassiana (2.23 × 109 conidia/kg) with DE (400 mg/kg) caused the greatest mortality of R. dominica (79.8%). Furthermore, Khoobdel et al. (2019) demonstrated that combinations of DE and B. bassiana achieved high mortality rates in the adult populations of C. maculatus. Rizwan et al. (2019) concluded that application of B. bassiana (1 × 108 conidia/kg) combined with DE (400 mg/kg) was highly effective against Tribolium castaneum (Herbst), with 88.1% mortality after 21day exposure.
The insecticidal effect of Trichoderma harzianum (TH), diatomaceous earth (DE), kaolin (KA) and their combinations against Callosobruchus maculatus (F.) and Callosobruchus chinensis L. (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Bruchinae) was evaluated. The fungus T. harzianum was applied at 1 × 10⁵, 1 × 10⁶ and 1 × 10⁷ spores/kg of cowpea seeds individually and mixed with 100, 500 and 1000 mg/kg of DE or KA. The effect of individual and binary treatments on adult mortality after 3 and 7 days of exposure was determined. The progeny production of both insects and weight loss in cowpea seeds were assessed after 45 days of exposure. Complete adult mortality of both insect species was achieved by using the highest application rate of DE/TH mixture (1000 mg/kg of DE+1.0 × 10⁷ spores/kg of TH) after 7 days. A mixture of KA/TH (1000 mg/kg of KA+1.0 × 10⁷ spores/kg of TH) caused 100.0 and 97.9% mortality of C. maculatus and C. chinensis, respectively, after 7 days of exposure. Progeny production of both insect species was significantly decreased for all individual and combination treatments compared to the control. No progeny of C. chinensis was detected in cowpea seeds treated with the mixture 1000 mg/kg of KA+‏ 1.0 × 10⁷ spores/kg of TH after 45 days. Also, the combination treatments protected cowpea seeds from damage caused by C. maculatus and C. chinensis for 45 days. These results indicate that the combinations of TH fungus with DE or KA could be successfully used for the management of C. maculatus and C. chinensis in stored cowpea seeds.
Efficacy of low-dose combinations of diatomaceous earth, spinosad and Trichoderma harzianum for the control of Callosobruchus maculatus and Callosobruchus chinensis on stored cowpea seeds
2021, Journal of Stored Products Research
The insecticidal efficacy of diatomaceous earth (DE), spinosad (SP) and Trichoderma harzianum (TH), and their combinations was evaluated against the adults of Callosobruchus maculatus (F.) and Callosobruchus chinensis L. (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Bruchinae) on cowpea seeds. The application rates used in this study were 100 and 500 mg/kg (ppm) for DE, 0.1 and 0.5 mg/kg (ppm) for SP, and 1 × 10⁴ and 1 × 10⁶ spores/kg for TH. The adult mortality of both insect species was counted after 7 days. Progeny reduction after 40 and 80 days, and cowpea seeds weight loss after 80 days were determined for all tested individual and combined treatments. In individual treatments, DE caused higher mortality of both insects than SP and TH. DE induced 76.4 and 78.7% mortality of C. maculatus and C. chinensis, respectively, at 500 mg/kg. The ternary combined treatments of SP, TH and DE showed higher insecticidal activity than binary combination and individual treatments. Complete adult mortality of both insect species was achieved using a ternary mixture at application rate of 500 mg/kg of DE, 0.5 mg/kg of SP and 1 × 10⁶ spores/kg of T. harzianum. All individual and combined treatments significantly reduced progeny production of both insect species after 40 and 80 days. However, the ternary mixture treatments strongly suppressed progeny production. Similarly, ternary mixture treatments protected cowpea seeds from damage and weight loss caused by both insect species for 80 days. These results indicate that the combinations of DE, SP and TH could be successfully used for the management of C. maculatus and C. chinensis in stored cowpea seeds.

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Short CommunicationBio-efficacy of the indigenous entomopathogenic fungus, Beauveria bassiana in conjunction with desiccant dust to control of coleopteran stored product pests

Highlights

Abstract

Graphical abstract

Introduction

Section snippets

Grain material and insect preparations

Insecticidal activity of B. bassiana and DE on C. maculatus and O surinamensis

Discussion

Conclusion

Acknowledgments

Conflicts of interest

J. Stored Prod. Res.

J. Stored Prod. Res.

J. Stored Prod. Res.

J. Stored Prod. Res.

J. Stored Prod. Res.

J. Stored Prod. Res.

J. Stored Prod. Res.

Mycol. Res.

J. Invertebr. Pathol.

J. Stored Prod. Res.

Postharvest Biol. Technol.

J. Insect Physiol.

J. Stored Prod. Res.

Mycol. Res.

Toxicity of diatomaceous earth to red flour beetles and confused flour beetles (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae): effects of temperature and relative humidity

J. Econ. Entomol.

Factors affecting the insecticidal efficacy of the diatomaceous earth formulation SilicoSec® against adults of the rice weevil, Sitophilus oryzae (L.) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

Appl. Entomol. Zool.

Efficacy of diatomaceous earth formulations against Callosobruchus maculatus (F.) (Coleoptera: Bruchidae) in Kersting’s groundnut (Macrotyloma geocarpum Harms): influence of dosage rate and relative humidity

J Pest Sci

Short Communication
Bio-efficacy of the indigenous entomopathogenic fungus, Beauveria bassiana in conjunction with desiccant dust to control of coleopteran stored product pests