Efficacy of Beauveria bassiana formulations against the fungus gnat Lycoriella ingenua

Abstract

Lycoriella ingenua Dufour (Diptera: Sciaridae) is a major pest species in commerical mushroom (Agaricus bisporus) production throughout the world. Grower demand for alternative control measures, following the recent withdrawal of a number of chemical control options, led to a label extension for use of the fungal biopesticide BotaniGard ® ES, for control of mushroom flies. Semi-field trials were conducted to evaluate the efficacy of BotaniGard ® ES, and two alternative formulations of Beauveria bassiana strain GHA (the active ingredient in BotaniGard ® ES), for control of L. ingenua, and their effect on crop yield when incorporated at spawning. Data collected from two replicated trials demonstrated that incorporation of B. bassiana was not detrimental to mushroom yield, but was also ineffective in controlling the development of L. ingenua larvae in artificially infested compost. Subsequent laboratory bioassays demonstrated that L. ingenua eggs and larvae were not susceptible to infection by B. bassiana strain GHA whereas pupae were somewhat susceptible (41% mortality). Bioassays conducted on adult L. ingenua using 1 h exposure to a surface sprayed with BotaniGard® ES resulted in 100% mortality within 8 days and a mean survival time of 6 days, which was significantly different from the control population.

Hydrogen Peroxide for Insect and Algae Control in a Lettuce Hydroponic Environment

“…According to these authors, B. bassiana (GHA strain) showed no interference in the production of the champignon-type mushroom Agaricus bisporus (Agaricaceae), nor in the control of fungus gnats in the larval and adult stages. In contrast to our results and those described by Andreadis et al (2016), Stanghellini and El-Hamalawi (2005) observed high mortality of shore fly larvae and adults exposed to Beauveria bassiana. In this case, the authors identified and isolated a strain previously found in adult shore fly corpses.…”

“…However, they were not efficient in controlling both adult and larval fly species, nor to control algal evolution in phenolic foams. Similar results were observed by Andreadis et al (2016). According to these authors, B. bassiana (GHA strain) showed no interference in the production of the champignon-type mushroom Agaricus bisporus (Agaricaceae), nor in the control of fungus gnats in the larval and adult stages.…”

Phoretic relationship between the myceliophagous mite Microdispus lambi (Acari: Microdispidae) and mushroom flies in Spanish crops

“…The predominance of phorid flies over sciarids in mushroom growing farms has been also described in Turkey (Erler & Polat, ) and in the Netherlands (Baars, Rutjens, Kogel, & Baars, ). However, most authors that have studied mushroom flies describe sciarids as the major mushroom arthropod pest (Andreadis et al, ; Eui & Seo, ; Fletcher & Gaze, ; Jess et al, ; Shamshad, ). In Spanish mushroom farms the largest number of adult flies (phorids and sciarids) was collected in spring and autumn, while a sharp decrease in numbers was observed in winter (Navarro et al, ), a situation also described in the literature by Jess et al () and Erler and Polat ().…”

Little effect of delayed mating on fecundity or fertility of female fungus gnats Lycoriella ingenua

“…day 6 and onward), the females in these experiments began to experience significant mortality (> 50%), as was also noted by Andreadis et al . (). Because of this mortality, we could only use data from females experiencing a mating delay of up to 5 days (i.e.…”

“…The females were able to be kept alive over this time span in cages provided with sugar water but, after a mating delay of more than 5 days (i.e. day 6 and onward), the females in these experiments began to experience significant mortality (> 50%), as was also noted by Andreadis et al (2016). Because of this mortality, we could only use data from females experiencing a mating delay of up to 5 days (i.e.…”