Characterization of a new strain ofMetarhizium novozealandicumwith potential to be developed as a biopesticide

Abstract

The fungal species Metarhizium novozealandicum, that occurs only in New Zealand and Australia has been poorly studied. In this work, a new strain of M. novozealandicum isolated from a larva of Wiseana sp. is described based on morphology, genomic multilocus (ITS, EF-1α and β-tubulin) phylogeny, growth in different culture media and insecticidal activity. The isolate AgR-F177 was clustered in the same clade with M. novozealandicum. AgR-F177 colonies developed faster on Sabouraud Dextrose Agar (SDA) than on Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA) when incubated at 25°C, with no growth observed at 30°C on either media. Conidia yield on an oat-based medium in semisolid fermentation was 7.41 x 10 8 conidia/g of substrate and a higher yield of 1.68 x 10 9 conidia/g of substrate was obtained using solid fermentation on cooked rice. AgR-F177 formed microsclerotia (MS) in liquid fermentation after 7 days reaching the maximum yield of 3.3 × 10 3 MS/mL after 10 days. AgR-F177 caused mortality in Wiseana copularis, Costelytra giveni and Plutella xylostella larvae with efficacies up to 100%, 69.2%, and 45.7%, respectively. The ease of production of AgR-F177 with different fermentation systems and its pathogenicity against different insect pests reveal its potential as a new biopesticide.

Phylogenetic analysis and biocontrol potential of entomopathogenic fungi against Tropinota (=Epicometis) hirta (Poda) (Coleoptera: Cetoniidae) and the apple scab disease Ventura inaequalis

“…After that, molecular techniques were mostly used in studies related to the systematic and taxonomy of Metarhizium genus. Phylogenetic analyses based on multi-gene (or multi-locus approach) showed that many species of Metarhizium are specifically included in the M. anisopliae and M. flavoviridae species complexes, and the identification of new species has still been done from different geographical regions (Villamizar et al 2021). It is currently known that there are 51 species identified within this genus (Villmizar et al 2021).…”

Morphological and phylogenetic resolution ofConoideocrella luteorostrata(Hypocreales: Clavicipitaceae), a potential biocontrol fungus forFiorinia externain United States Christmas tree production areas

“…ARSEF 14590 conidia were mixed into a cooling solution of PDA, after which a small volume (~5 µm) was placed on a sterile slide beneath a sterile cover slip. In another approach, a cube of stab inoculated water agar was transferred similarly between a sterile slide and sterile coverslip (Villamizar et al 2021, Rivalier et al 1932). These were incubated for at least two weeks before they were observed directly, then coverslips were removed for staining and further observation.…”

Production of Microsclerotia by Metarhizium sp., and Factors Affecting Their Survival, Germination, and Conidial Yield

“…MS may provide an alternative to Metarhizium spp. conidia for mycoinsecticide development against geophilic insects of agricultural, medical, and veterinary importance [7][8][9][10][11]. Indeed, MS can be obtained via liquid fermentation, without the drawbacks of solid fermentation, and they can produce infective conidia after rehydration [7][8][9][10]12,13].…”