Pathogenic characteristics and infection‐related genes of Metarhizium anisopliae FM‐03 infecting Planococcus lilacinus

Abstract

Planococcus lilacinus (Cockerell) (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) is a global flower and fruit pest, and a severe infestation is currently seen in the sugar apple (Annona squamosa L., Annonaceae) orchards of Zhangzhou, Fujian Province, China. Biological control with entomopathogenic fungi is safe, effective, and long‐lasting, and has potential for the control of mealybugs. In this study, we analyzed the pathogenic characteristics and infection‐related genes of Metarhizium anisopliae (Metschn.) Sorokīn FM‐03, a strain discovered in the sugar apple orchards, against P. lilacinus, to evaluate its biocontrol potential and application prospects against mealybugs. The results showed that M. anisopliae FM‐03 was highly pathogenic against P. lilacinus. At 10 days after infection, the median lethal concentration (LC50) of strain FM‐03 was 1.45 × 105 spores ml−1 and the cumulative corrected mortality was 93%, whereas the median lethal time (LT50) was 5.27 days for treatment with the highest spore concentration (108 spores ml−1). Planococcus lilacinus was primarily infected from the legs, abdominal segments, and body edges, which are sites with less wax. Infection became clearly visible 72 h post inoculation. Substantial changes occurred in activity of fungal enzymes, with peak values of 26 U ml−1 for proteases and 17 U ml−1 for lipases on day 5 post inoculation to enzyme inducing culture media. The activity of chitinases was relatively stable, with a peak value of 8 U ml−1 on day 6 post inoculation. At 3 days post P. lilacinus infection, a total of 1 069 genes were differentially expressed, of which 137 were annotated as infection‐related. Among the 136 upregulated genes, 10 were identified as potentially crucial for infection regulation. These 10 genes could be targeted for subsequent construction of genetically engineered FM‐03 strains, driving the research and development of effective biocontrol agents for P. lilacinus.

Uji Toksisitas Jamur Metarhizium anisopliae terhadap Hama Ulat Krop Kubis Crocidolomia binotalis Zell.

“…Menurut Nisfuriah & Nunilahwati (2020) menyebut ada 3 gejala serangga yang terinfeksi jamur entomopatogen yaitu ditumbuhi miselia putih, ditumbuhi miselia kuning kehijauan dan tidak ditumbuhi miselia. Huang et al (2021) permukaan tubuh serangga ditumbuhi hifa putih yang ujungnya terdapat konidia berwarna hijau tua mulai 3-5 hsa menjadi tanda penting terjadinya proses infeksi.…”

Toxicity and synergistic activity of compounds from essential oils and their effect on detoxification enzymes against Planococcus lilacinus

“…Mealybug, Planococcus lilacinus Cockerell (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae), is a major surface-feeding pest of many fruits and flowering plants ( Huang et al., 2021 ; Ren et al., 2022 ). It is also regarded as a major pest that causes severe damage to various commercially significant crops, including citrus, coconut, coffee, custard apple, dragon fruit, guava, grape, mango, and tamarind, leading to significant economic yield loss ( Nguyen et al., 2016 ).…”