An Ecological Assessment of Isaria fumosorosea Applications Compared to a Neonicotinoid Treatment for Regulating Invasive Ficus Whitefly

Abstract

A pilot study was conducted on a weeping fig, Ficus benjamina shrub hedge in a Florida urban landscape to determine the efficacy of a fungal biopesticide, PFR-97™ which contains blastospores of Isaria fumosorosea, and a neonicotinoid treatment (Admire Pro™) applied against the invasive ficus whitefly pest, Singhiella simplex (Singh). Post treatment, an ecological assessment of the study was conducted by observing the impact of the fungal biopesticide and neonicotinoid treatment on natural enemies, e.g., predators, parasitoids and enzootic fungal pathogens occurring in the whitefly-infested hedge. Both treatments provided a significant reduction in the whitefly population compared to control and were compatible with the natural enemies present. Various natural enemies including fungal entomopathogens were identified associated with the whitefly population infesting the weeping fig hedge. The parasitoids, Encarsia protransvena Viggiani and Amitus bennetti Viggiani & Evans combined parasitized a similar mean number of whitefly nymphs in both treatments and control; however, the number parasitized decreased over time. Natural enzootic fungi isolated from the ficus whitefly nymphs were I. fumosorosea, Purpureocillium lilacinum and Lecanicillium, Aspergillus and Fusarium species. Results from this pilot study suggest there is much potential for using repeated applications of the fungal biopesticide, PFR-97™ as a foliar spray compared to a neonicitionid as a soil drench for managing S. simplex on Ficus species for ≥28 days.

Compatibility of the Predatory Beetle, Delphastus catalinae, with an Entomopathogenic Fungus, Cordyceps fumosorosea, for Biocontrol of Invasive Pepper Whitefly, Aleurothrixus trachoides, in Florida

“…High pepper whitefly mortality (~88%) in the Cfr -alone treatment demonstrated that Cfr could be an important tool to combat this invasive whitefly. Results of the current study align with several studies around the globe where Cfr was found efficacious against multiple whitefly species [ 11 , 24 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 ]. Given the favorable conditions (temperature 24–30 °C + high humidity) [ 28 ], the unique mode of action of Cfr , either by cuticular invasion or ingestion per os , can lead to the death of the organism.…”

“…Leaves or leaf sections were sprayed to the point of runoff and then allowed to air dry before being placed in the bioassay arenas. Mean spore deposition, determined using a similar protocol to that of Avery et al [ 24 ] was 157 ± 35.8 blastospores mm −2 for all the experiments.…”

Field Efficacy of Cordyceps javanica, White Oil and Spinetoram for the Management of the Asian Citrus Psyllid, Diaphorina citri

“…Prior to the spray applications of Cja in Treatments 3 and 4, plastic coverslips (Fisherbrand ® 22 mm × 22 mm, Fisher Scientific, Pittsburgh, PA, USA) were pinned to the abaxial and adaxial sides of randomly chosen leaves in order to determine blastospore deposition per mm 2 , as described by Avery et al [ 33 ]. The coverslips were allowed to air dry overnight post-application (~12 h).…”

“…When blastospores of the Cja Apopka strain were mixed with citrus or petroleum oils in a suspension and sprayed on leaves exposed afterwards for AsCP adults, the mean survival rate of the insects was significantly lower compared to the fungal suspension applied alone [28]. Cordyceps javanica is also compatible with various beneficial organisms [29,30], including lady beetles [31][32][33] and the parasitoid Tamarixia radiata (Waterson) (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae), which are natural enemies of AsCP [13,[34][35][36][37][38].…”

A Review of the Biology and Control of Whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), with Special Reference to Biological Control Using Entomopathogenic Fungi

“…Over the past two decades, insecticides, including nicotinoids and insect growth regulators, have demonstrated physical and immediate action in controlling B. tabaci and other pest-sucking insects [ 67 , 68 ]. Foliar applications of systemic insecticides in the neonicotinoid class such as clothianidin, dinotefuran, imidacloprid, thiamethoxam, chlorantraniliprole, spinosad, and flupyraifurone can provide sufficient control of whitefly [ 14 , 69 , 70 ]. The effect of chemical pesticides on the non-target organism, environmental contamination, and resistance of insect pests have led to research on biological control agents as alternative control measures.…”