Toxicity of Beauveria bassiana to Bactrocera dorsalis and effects on its natural predators.

Entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) are economical and environmentally friendly, forming an essential part of integrated pest management strategies. We screened six strains of Beauveria bassiana (B1-B6) (Hypocreales: Cordycipitaceae), of which B4 was the most virulent to Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel) (Diptera: Tephritidae). We further assessed the biological characteristics of strain B4 and the environmental factors influencing its ability to infect B. dorsalis. We also evaluated the effects of B4 on two of the natural predators of B. dorsalis. We found that strain B4 was the most virulent to 3rd instar larvae, pupae, and adult B. dorsalis, causing mortality rates of 52.67, 61.33, and 90.67%, respectively. B4 was not toxic to B. dorsalis eggs. The optimum B4 effects on B. dorsalis were achieved at a relative humidity of 91-100% and a temperature of 25°C. Among the six insecticides commonly used for B. dorsalis control, 1.8% abamectin emulsifiable concentrate had the strongest inhibitory effect on B4 strain germination. B4 spraying affected both natural enemies (Amblyseius cucumeris and Anastatus japonicus), reducing the number of A. cucumeris and killing A. japonicus adults. We found a valuable strain of EPF (B4) that is virulent against many life stages of B. dorsalis and has great potential for the biological control of B. dorsalis. We also provide an important theoretical and practical base for developing a potential fungicide to control B. dorsalis.

Azaphilones with protein tyrosine phosphatase inhibitory activity isolated from the fungus Aspergillus deflectus.

Six undescribed azaphilones, deflectins C1-C3, deflectins D1-D2, and deflectin E, along with five known azaphilones were obtained from a solid culture of the wild fungus Aspergillus deflectus NCC0415. Their structures were determined by HRESIMS, NMR and ECD analyses, together with the GIAO 13C NMR calculation method. All compounds displayed strong or moderate inhibitory activity against protein tyrosine phosphatases SHP2 and PTP1B. Structure-activity relationship analysis of these azaphilones suggested that the length of the ketone aliphatic side chain would affect their SHP2 and PTP1B inhibitory activity. In addition, the presence of a Δ8(12) double bond on γ-lactone ring and the presence of CH3-2' in fatty chains may increase their inhibitory activity.

Trichocarotins A-H and trichocadinin A, nine sesquiterpenes from the marine-alga-epiphytic fungus Trichoderma virens.

In addition to CAF-603, 14-hydroxy CAF-603 (trichocarane B), 7-ß-hydroxy CAF-603, and trichocarane A, eight new carotane sesquiterpenes, trichocarotins A-H, and one new cadinane sesquiterpene, trichocadinin A, were isolated from the culture of Trichoderma virens Y13-3, obtained from the surface of a marine red alga. Their structures and relative configurations were unambiguously assigned by interpretation of 1D/2D NMR and MS data, and their absolute configurations were established by X-ray diffraction or ECD spectra aided by quantum chemical calculations. These compounds represent two rarely occurring sesquiterpene types from filamentous fungi, and six of them feature potent inhibition against some marine plankton species.

Bisabolane, cyclonerane, and harziane derivatives from the marine-alga-endophytic fungus Trichoderma asperellum cf44-2.

Three undescribed bisabolane derivatives, trichaspin, trichaspsides A and B, three undescribed cyclonerane sesquiterpenes, 9-cycloneren-3,7,11-triol, 11-cycloneren-3,7,10-triol, and 7,10-epoxycycloneran-3,11,12-triol, and one undescribed harziane diterpene, 11-hydroxy-9-harzien-3-one, were obtained from the culture of Trichoderma asperellum cf44-2, an endophyte of the marine brown alga Sargassum sp. Their structures and relative configurations were assigned by analysis of 1D/2D NMR and MS data, and their absolute configurations were established by ECD or specific optical rotation data. Trichaspin features an unprecedented ethylated bisabolane skeleton, while trichaspsides A and B represent the first aminoglycosides of bisabolane and norbisabolane sesquiterpenes, respectively. Nine of the compounds were evaluated for inhibition of five marine-derived pathogenic bacteria and toxicity to a marine zooplankton.

Natural Occurrence of the Entomopathogenic Fungi Metarhizium, Beauveria and Paecilomyces in Soybean Under Till and No-till Cultivation Systems / Ocorrência Natural de Fungos Entomopatogênicos Metarhizium, Beauveria e Paecilomyces na Cultura da Soja sob Plantio Direto e Convencional

A ocorrência de fungos entomopatogênicos Metarhizium, Beauveria e Paecilomyces foi estudada em condições de semeadura direta e convencional da soja. Foi determinada a densidade de unidades formadoras de colônia por g de solo e por cm² de folíolos de soja. Verificou-se que no solo sob semeadura direta ocorreu maior incidência dos entomopatógenos, mas sobre os folíolos essa diferença não ocorreu, proporcionando as mesmas possibilidades de infecção nos insetos da parte aérea suscetíveis que ocorrem nas duas condições de cultivo.

The occurrence of the entomopathogenic fungi Metarhizium, Beauveria and Paecilomyces in soybean under till and no-till cultivation systems was studied. The number of colony forming units per g of soil and per cm² of leaf area was determined. Soil under no-till system showed a higher incidence of entomopathogenic fungi, but no difference in fungal density was observed on leaves. Thus the probability of infection for susceptible leaf inhabiting insects should be similar in both systems.