Sensitivity of Ixodes ricinus (L., 1758) and Dermacentor reticulatus (Fabr., 1794) ticks to entomopathogenic fungi isolates: preliminary study

Abstract

Entomopathogenic fungi of the genus Beauveria and Metarhizium play an important role in controlling the population of arthropods. However, the data on their effectiveness against ticks focus mainly on species that do not occur in Europe. The aim of the study was to assess the effectiveness of entomopathogenic fungi against two of the most important tick species in Europe: Ixodes ricinus and Dermacentor reticulatus. In our study, the majority of tested entomopathogenic fungi strains showed potential efficacy against both tick species; however, D. reticulatus was less susceptible in comparison to I. ricinus. The observed mortality of ticks was up to 100% by using all commercial strains as well as three out of nine of the environmental strains. Among all tested fungi, the most effective against both tick species was environmental strain Metarhizium anisopliae LO4(1) with LC50 values: 2.6 × 103 cfu/ml–5.7 × 105 cfu/ml. Botanigard proved to be more effective than MET52 with LC50 values: 6.8 × 103 cfu/ml–3.3 × 106 cfu/ml. The conducted bioassays indicate the potential possibility of using the environmental isolates of entomopathogenic fungi, as well as commercial strains in control of local populations of I. ricinus and D. reticulatus; however, the possibility of using them in vivo requires more research.

A Review of Commercial Metarhizium- and Beauveria-Based Biopesticides for the Biological Control of Ticks in the USA

“…In the laboratory, A. americanum adults treated with Bb -GHA survived 7.2 days compared to 17.9 days in the control and the strain caused noticeable desiccation, an effect of fungal infection [ 66 ]. When immersed in up to 10 8 conidia/mL, 100% mortality occurred after three weeks in the European species I. ricinus and D. reticulatus [ 53 ]. Over 90% mortality within four weeks has been observed in aggregated R. sanguineus sensu lato [ 54 ].…”

Entomopathogenic Fungi and Bacteria in a Veterinary Perspective

“…M. anisopliae appeared more active than B. bassiana against I. ricinus and to a lesser extent against D. reticulatus [139]. Strains of M. anisopliae and B. bassiana were able to kill engorged females of Hyalomma anatolicum, yielding better results in comparison with Paecilomyces lilacinus [140], while strains of M. anisopliae and P. lilacinus were more pathogenic than B. bassiana against R. microplus [129].…”

“…I. fumosorosea induced a low mortality of larvae in R. sanguineus [114], in D. reticulatus and I. ricinus [136]. For these reasons, its use as mycoacaricide against ticks is not recommended [139].…”

“…Dermacentor albipictus Beauveria bassiana [138] Dermacentor albipictus Metarhizium anisopliae [138] Dermacentor albipictus Metarhizium brunneum [138] Dermacentor marginatus Aspergillus fumigatus [190] Dermacentor marginatus Trichothecium roseum [191] Dermacentor reticulatus Isaria fumosorosea [139] Dermacentor reticulatus Beauveria bassiana [139] Dermacentor reticulatus Metarhizium anisopliae [139] Dermacentor reticulatus Metarhizium robertsii [139] Dermacentor sp.…”

“…Haemaphysalis longicornis Beauveria bassiana [142] Haemaphysalis qinghaiensis Metarhizium anisopliae [137] Haemaphysalis qinghaiensis Beauveria bassiana [137] Hyalomma anatolicum Beauveria bassiana [140] Hyalomma anatolicum Metarhizium anisopliae [140] Hyalomma anatolicum Paecilomyces lilacinus [140] Hyalomma lusitanicum Beauveria bassiana [147,148] Hyalomma scupense Aspergillus fumigatus [190] Ixodes dammini Aspergillus ochraceus [3] Ixodes dammini Metarhizium anisopliae [192] Ixodes ricinus Conidiobolus coronatus [108] Ixodes ricinus Aspergillus flavus [106] Ixodes ricinus Aspergillus fumigatus [106] Ixodes ricinus Aspergillus niger [107] Ixodes ricinus Aspergillus parasiticus [107] Ixodes ricinus Beauveria bassiana [3,139] Ixodes ricinus Beauveria brognardi [108] Ixodes ricinus Paecilomyces farinosus [108] Ixodes ricinus Paecilomyces fumosoroseus [107,108] Ixodes ricinus Penicillium insectivorum [106] Ixodes ricinus Trichothecium roseum [191] Ixodes ricinus Verticillium aranearum [108] Ixodes ricinus Verticillium lecanii [107,108] Ixodes ricinus Metarhizium anisopliae [139] Ixodes ricinus Metarhizium robertsii [139] Ixodes ricinus Isaria fumosorosea [139] Ixodes scapularis Metarhizium brunneum [116][117][118]143] Ixodes scapularis Metarhizium anisopliae [116] Ixodes scapularis Beauveria bassiana [116] Rhipicephalus annulatus Metarhizium brunneum…”