Avoidance of a generalist entomopathogenic fungus by the ladybird, Coccinella septempunctata

Ormond, E. L.; Thomas, Alison; Pell, J. K.; Freeman, Stephen N.; Roy, Helen E.

doi:10.1111/j.1574-6941.2011.01100.x

Cited by 67 publications

(36 citation statements)

References 49 publications

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“…Insects may use fungi as diet or may avoid potentially pathogenic fungi or fungal toxins. For example, the beetle Coccinella septempunctata a predator of many insects was shown to avoid B. bassiana -colonized insect preys or contaminated leaf surfaces [43]. A similar avoidance behavior was found in the bug Anthocoris nemorum [44].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 80%

Effect of Fungal Colonization of Wheat Grains with Fusarium spp. on Food Choice, Weight Gain and Mortality of Meal Beetle Larvae (Tenebrio molitor)

et al. 2014

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Species of Fusarium have significant agro-economical and human health-related impact by infecting diverse crop plants and synthesizing diverse mycotoxins. Here, we investigated interactions of grain-feeding Tenebrio molitor larvae with four grain-colonizing Fusarium species on wheat kernels. Since numerous metabolites produced by Fusarium spp. are toxic to insects, we tested the hypothesis that the insect senses and avoids Fusarium-colonized grains. We found that only kernels colonized with F. avenaceum or Beauveria bassiana (an insect-pathogenic fungal control) were avoided by the larvae as expected. Kernels colonized with F. proliferatum, F. poae or F. culmorum attracted T. molitor larvae significantly more than control kernels. The avoidance/preference correlated with larval feeding behaviors and weight gain. Interestingly, larvae that had consumed F. proliferatum- or F. poae-colonized kernels had similar survival rates as control. Larvae fed on F. culmorum-, F. avenaceum- or B. bassiana-colonized kernels had elevated mortality rates. HPLC analyses confirmed the following mycotoxins produced by the fungal strains on the kernels: fumonisins, enniatins and beauvericin by F. proliferatum, enniatins and beauvericin by F. poae, enniatins by F. avenaceum, and deoxynivalenol and zearalenone by F. culmorum. Our results indicate that T. molitor larvae have the ability to sense potential survival threats of kernels colonized with F. avenaceum or B. bassiana, but not with F. culmorum. Volatiles potentially along with gustatory cues produced by these fungi may represent survival threat signals for the larvae resulting in their avoidance. Although F. proliferatum or F. poae produced fumonisins, enniatins and beauvericin during kernel colonization, the larvae were able to use those kernels as diet without exhibiting increased mortality. Consumption of F. avenaceum-colonized kernels, however, increased larval mortality; these kernels had higher enniatin levels than F. proliferatum or F. poae-colonized ones suggesting that T. molitor can tolerate or metabolize those toxins.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 80%

Effect of Fungal Colonization of Wheat Grains with Fusarium spp. on Food Choice, Weight Gain and Mortality of Meal Beetle Larvae (Tenebrio molitor)

et al. 2014

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“…Studies about interactions between entomopathogenic fungi and other natural enemies (parasitoids and predators) have been performed worldwide (Roy et al 2006;Ormond et al 2011;Martins et al 2014;Bayissa et al 2016). However, there is very little information about interactions with other natural enemies in Coccinellidae species in general and E. connexa in particular.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Ormond et al (2011) observed that both, male and female Coccinella septempunctata L. In this study, the method of inoculation to evaluate the sub-lethal effects was through fungus-infected prey aphids, offered one time only. Statistical analyses showed that there were no significant differences between the survivals of both treatments, inoculated and control groups, from larvae to adulthood.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Interactions between the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana and the Neotropical predator Eriopis connexa (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae): Implications in biological control of pest

Scorsetti¹,

Pelizza²,

Fogel³

et al. 2018

Journal of Plant Protection Research

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Aphids (Hemiptera: Aphididae) are serious pests of crops causing direct damage by feeding and indirect by the transmission of plant viruses. The use of conventional insecticides for controlling aphids has caused different problems and insecticide resistance. Accordingly, there is more interest in alternative control methods such as biological control by natural enemies for sustainable agricultural management. Among biological control agents, entomopathogenic fungi are one of the most significant microbial pathogens of insects. Also, Coccinellidae, as a major group, is a serious natural enemy. Both larval and adult stages of Coccinellidae feed on different soft-body pests, such as aphids. Eriopis connexa (Germar) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) is a common species in agroecosystems of the Neotropical region where it is considered to be a potential control agent. Pathogens and arthropod natural enemies may contribute to the control of phytophagous pests; however, it is important to assess potential interactions within biological control agents that share hosts (intraguild interaction) to evaluate their combined use for pest control. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the compatibility and interaction (lethal and sublethal effects) between E. connexa and the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana (Bals.-Criv.) Vuill. (Ascomycota: Hypocreales). Both are important biological control agents of aphids. The pathogenicity of B. bassiana against larvae, pupae and adults of the predator E. connexa was evaluated, and results showed, that B. bassiana infected the coleopteran. On the other hand, interaction between B. bassiana and the predator was evaluated through infected-prey. The effects of fungus on larvae survival were significantly different when we analyzed the accumulated survival (from first larval instar to adulthood). The daily fecundity was significantly reduced at five days compared to control group. By contrast, no significant differences were observed between the five oviposition days in the rate of hatched eggs. This study shows that despite having received a single dose of the fungus in its life cycle, the population parameters of the predator E. connexa are affected. More studies would be necessary to help identify interactions between microbes and natural enemies to increase and enhance opportunities and further develop biological pest control programs.

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“…H. axyridis is a well-defended coccinellid (Sloggett et al 2011) and this almost certainly contributes to low prevalence of parasitisation. The behavioural responses (such as detection and avoidance) of native coccinellids compared to H. axyridis to parasites and pathogens could be enlightening (Ormond et al 2011). However, studies that comprehensively assess the parasites of H. axyridis in its native and introduced range should be considered a priority.…”

Section: Bacteriamentioning

confidence: 97%

Living with the enemy: parasites and pathogens of the ladybird Harmonia axyridis

et al. 2011

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Harmonia axyridis is an invasive alien predator in many countries across the world. The rapid establishment and spread of this species is of concern because of the threat it poses to biodiversity as a generalist predator. Understanding the mechanisms that contribute to the success of this species as an invader is not only intriguing but also critical to our understanding of the processes governing such invasions. The enemy release hypothesis (ERH) could explain the rapid population growth of many invasive alien species. However, empirical evidence in support of the ERH is lacking. An alternative hypothesis that could explain rapid population growth is evolution of increased competitive ability (EICA).Here we provide an overview of the parasites and pathogens of coccinellids with a particular focus on H. axyridis as a host. We examine the differential susceptibility of host species and highlight the resilience of H. axyridis in comparison to other coccinellids. We recognise the paucity and limitations of available information and suggest that studies, within a life-table framework, comparing life history traits of H. axyridis in both the native and introduced ranges are necessary. We predict that H. axyridis could benefit from both enemy release and EICA within the introduced range but require further empirical evidence.

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Avoidance of a generalist entomopathogenic fungus by the ladybird, Coccinella septempunctata

Cited by 67 publications

References 49 publications

Effect of Fungal Colonization of Wheat Grains with Fusarium spp. on Food Choice, Weight Gain and Mortality of Meal Beetle Larvae (Tenebrio molitor)

Effect of Fungal Colonization of Wheat Grains with Fusarium spp. on Food Choice, Weight Gain and Mortality of Meal Beetle Larvae (Tenebrio molitor)

Interactions between the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana and the Neotropical predator Eriopis connexa (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae): Implications in biological control of pest

Living with the enemy: parasites and pathogens of the ladybird Harmonia axyridis

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