Survey of indigenous entomopathogenic fungi and evaluation of their pathogenicity against the carmine spider mite, Tetranychus cinnabarinus (Boisd.), and the whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Genn.) biotype B.

BACKGROUND: The carmine spider mite, Tetranychus cinnabarinus, and the silverleaf whitefly, Bemisia tabaci, are serious pests of both field- and greenhouse-grown crops in south-western Turkey. Control of these pests has been heavily dependent upon chemical pesticides. The objectives of this study were to investigate the occurrence of indigenous entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) in field populations of T. cinnabarinus and B. tabaci, and to evaluate their pathogenicity against these pests. For this purpose, a survey of EPF isolated from field-collected samples of both pests was carried out in Antalya in 2010 and 2011 using the dilution plating method. RESULTS: Four indigenous Beauveria bassiana isolates (TUR1-B, TUR2-B, FIN1-B, FIN2-B) were recovered. In pathogenicity bioassays with T. cinnabarinus and B. tabaci biotype B, all the isolates tested were pathogenic to some of the biological stages of both pests to varying degrees. FIN1-B and TUR1-B caused mortalities of up to 50 and 45%, respectively, in adults of T. cinnabarinus, and of over 79 and 37%, respectively, in pupae of B. tabaci with 107 conidia mL-1 suspensions under laboratory conditions 10 days after inoculation. FIN2-B and TUR2-B had mortalities of 19.45 and 12.28%, respectively, in adults of T. cinnabarinus, and of 6.78 and 8.18%, respectively, in pupae of B. tabaci. None of the isolates had an effect on eggs of either species and larvae of the mite. CONCLUSION: Overall results suggest that isolates FIN1-B and TUR1-B have potential for management of T. cinnabarinus and B. tabaci. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry.

Potential of two entomopathogenic fungi, Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae), as biological control agents against the June beetle.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the entomopathogenic fungi (EPF), Beauveria bassiana (Bals.) Vuill. (Deuteromycotina: Hyphomycetes) strain PPRI 5339 [BroadBand, an emulsifiable spore concentrate (EC) formulation] and Metarhizium anisopliae (Metsch.) Sorokin (Hypocreales: Clavicipitaceae) strain F52 [Met52, both EC and granular (GR) formulations] against the larvae of Polyphylla fullo (L.) (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae). Larvicidal bioassays were performed in foam boxes (100 by 75 by 50 cm; length by width by height), containing moist soil medium with some humus and potato tubers as food. Although the B. bassiana product (min. 4 × 10(9) conidia/ml) was applied at 100, 150, and 200 ml/100 l water; M. anisopliae strain F52 was applied at 500, 1,000, and 1,500 g/m(3) of moist soil medium for GR (9 × 10(8) cfu/g) and 75, 100, and 125 ml/100 l water for EC (5.5 × 10(9) conidia/ml) formulation. Both fungi were pathogenic to larvae of the pest; however, young larvae (1st and 2nd instars) were more susceptible to infection than older ones (3rd instar). Mortality rates of young and older larvae varied with conidial concentration of both fungi and elapsed time after application. The B. bassiana product was more effective than both of the formulations of the M. anisopliae product, causing mortalities up to 79.8 and 71.6% in young and older larvae, respectively. The highest mortality rates of young and older larvae caused by the M. anisopliae product were 74.1 and 67.6% for the GR formulation, 70.2 and 61.8% for the EC formulation, respectively. These results may suggest that both fungi have potential to be used for management of P. fullo.

Field evaluation of an entomopathogenic fungus, Metarhizium brunneum strain F52, against pear psylla, Cacopsylla pyri.

BACKGROUND: The pear psylla, Cacopsylla pyri L. (Hemiptera: Psyllidae), is one of the most serious insect pests of pears in Turkey. In recent years, psyllid management has become increasingly difficult because of the development of insecticide resistance and the withdrawal of registered chemicals from the market. In this study, the field efficacy of an emulsifiable concentrate formulation of the entomopathogenic fungus, Metarhizium brunneum Petch strain F52 (Hypocreales: Clavicipitaceae), containing 5.5 × 10(9) conidia mL(-1) , was evaluated against C. pyri in south-western Turkey (Antalya) in two consecutive years, 2010 and 2011. RESULTS: The results showed that the F52 product at 100 mL 100 L(-1) water reduced the number of psyllid eggs and young nymphs (first and second instars), causing up to 79 and 88% mortality, respectively, 7 days after treatment in the first year, and 72 and 82% mortality in the second year. However, it was less active against the older nymphs (third to fifth instars ) and achieved only up to 51% mortality 7 days after treatment in the first year, and 48% mortality in the second year. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that the M. brunneum strain F52 product can be used as an alternative to conventional chemicals in controlling C. pyri early in the season.

Efficacy of tree trunk coating materials in the control of the apple clearwing, Synanthedon myopaeformis.

The efficacy of trunk treatment with three materials, cotton seed oil, lime and used motor oil, were evaluated for the control of apple clearwing, Synanthedon myopaeformis (Borkhausen) (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae) in an apple orchard during two successive years (2004 and 2005). The weekly total number of adult catches and exuviae was recorded each year. No treatments caused significant reductions in mean numbers of adults caught in bait traps or the exuviae protruding from the barks of tree trunks and thick branches in the first year of the study whereas all of them differed significantly from each other or from water-treated control in the second year (P < 0.05). A comparison of the mean numbers of adult catches and exuviae in both years revealed significant differences between the used motor oil and cotton seed oil treatments (P < 0.05). The lime treatments in both years significantly differed in terms of adult catches, but not exuviae (P<0.05). In the second year, compared with those in water-treated control plots, the mean number of adult catches and exuviae decreased by 81.3% and 88.3% in the used motor oil-treated plots, and by 70.8% and 83.3% in the cotton seed oil-treated plots, respectively. Although population reductions in the lime treatment were significant in the second year, the effect was at a much reduced level in comparison to the two oil treatments. The overall results suggest that used motor oil and cotton seed oil may have potential for the control of apple clearwing.

Control of the mushroom phorid fly, Megaselia halterata (Wood), with plant extracts.

BACKGROUND: The most serious insect pest problems affecting the cultivation of mushroom [Agaricus bisporus (Lange) Imbach] in Turkey are mushroom flies (sciarids, cecids and phorids). Mushroom phorid fly, Megaselia halterata (Wood), is the most common insect pest species during April-October. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential for eight botanical materials (two commercial neem-based products and six hot-water plant extracts) to control M. halterata populations in three successive growing periods. RESULTS: Treatment efficacy was evaluated by assessing adult emergence and sporophore damage rates compared with that of a standard insecticide, chlorpyrifos-ethyl (positive control). All plant extracts caused significant reductions in the mean number of emerging adults and sporophore damage rates compared with the water-treated control (negative control). Reduction in adult emergence in both neem treatments, Neemazal and Greeneem oil, was greater than that in the positive control. While Neemazal and Origanum onites L. extract had significantly lower sporophore damage rates than the positive control, there were no significant differences between the chlorpyrifos-ethyl, Greeneem oil and Pimpinella anisum L. extract treatments. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that both neem products and hot-water extracts of O. onites and P. anisum may be potential alternatives to conventional pesticides for the control of mushroom phorid fly.

Survey of insect growth regulator (IGR) resistance in house flies (Musca domestica L.) from southwestern Turkey.

Insect growth regulators (IGRs) are currently the fastest-growing class of insecticides, and in Turkey these products represent a new approach to pest control. In recent years, several IGRs were also registered for the control of the house fly, Musca domestica L. (Diptera: Muscidae), in Turkey. A field survey was conducted in the summers of 2006 and 2007 to evaluate resistance to some agriculturally and medically used IGRs on house flies from livestock farms and garbage dumps in the greenhouse production areas (Merkez, Kumluca, Manavgat, and Serik) of Antalya province (Southwestern Turkey). The results of larval feeding assay with technical diflubenzuron, methoprene, novaluron, pyripoxyfen, and triflumuron indicate that low levels (RF<10-fold) of resistance to the IGRs exist in the house fly populations from Antalya province. Exceptions, however, were two populations, Guzoren and Toptas, from the Kumluca area which showed moderate resistance to diflubenzuron with 11.8-fold in 2006 and 13.2-fold in 2007, respectively. We found substantial variation in susceptibility of field-collected house fly populations from year to year and from product to product. We generally observed an increase in resistance at many localities sampled from 2006 to 2007. The implications of these results to the future use of IGRs for house fly control are discussed. It will be critically important to continue monitoring efforts so that appropriate steps can be taken if resistance levels start to increase.

The effect of vegetable materials on the yield and productivity of agaricus bisporus / El efecto de materiales vegetales en el rendimiento y la productividad de agaricus bisporus / O efeito de materiais vegetais no rendimento e a produtividad de agaricus bisporus

To produce high yield, quality crops of mushrooms is an important component of the mushroom industry. The present study was carried out to evaluate the effect of seven vegetable materials (two commercial neem-based products, Neemazal-T/S® and Greeneem oil®, containing azadirachtin-A, and five hot water extracts from plants: Inula viscosa L., Ononis natrix L., Origanum onites L., Pimpinella anisum L. and Teucrium divericatum Sieber) on the yield and productivity of white button mushroom, Agaricus bisporus (Lange) Imbach. The concentration used was 5ml·l-1 water for the neem products, and 50g·l-1 dried material in water for the plant extracts tested. Dilute sprays of all the materials tested (150ml per bag, corresponding to 1200ml·m-2) were applied by soil drench to the casing layer using handgun sprayers. The effect of the test materials was evaluated by yield (kg per bag) and productivity (relation between fresh mushroom weight and fresh compost weight, as %). The applications of vegetable materials by soil drench to the casing layer had a stimulatory effect on mushroom yields. Yield increased with all vegetable treatments over the water-treated control. With the exception of O. natrix and O. onites extracts, significant productivity increases (7.7 to 21.9%) compared to the control were observed as a result of plant extract applications. The results suggest that plant materials may play an important role on the yield and productivity of A. bisporus, and may also be used in organic mushroom cultivation.

La producción de cosechas de frutos de calidad y alto rendimiento es un componente importante de la industria de champiñones. El presente estudio se llevó a cabo para evaluar el efecto de siete materiales vegetales (dos productos comerciales: Neemazal-T/S® y aceite Greeneem®, conteniendo azadirachtin-A, y cinco extractos en agua caliente de plantas: Inula viscosa L., Ononis natrix L., Origanum onites L., Pimpinella anisum L. y Teucrium divericatum Sieber) sobre el rendimento y productividad del champiñón Agaricus bisporus (Lange) Imbach. La concentración empleada fue de 5ml·l-1 en agua para los productos comerciales y de 50g·l-1 de material seco en agua para los extractos. Se aplicaron aspersiones diluidas empapando la superficie (150ml por bolsa, equivalente a 1200ml·m-2) por medio de aspersores manuales. El efecto de los materiales se evaluó en cuanto a rendimiento (kg por bolsa) y productividad (relación entre pesos frescos de hongos y compost, en porcentaje). La aplicación de los materiales vegetales estimuló el rendimiento, que fue mayor en todos los casos que en el control con agua. Con excepción de los extractos de O. natrix y O. onites, hubo aumentos significativos en productividad (7,7-21,9%) como resultado de las aplicaciones al comparar con el control. Los resultados sugieren que los materiales vegetales podrían tener un papel importante en el rendimiento y productividad de A. bisporus, y también pueden ser usados en cultivos orgánicos de champiñones.

A produção de colheitas de frutos de qualidade e alto rendimento é um componente importante da indústria de champinhons. O presente estudo foi realizado para avaliar o efeito de sete materiais vegetais (dois produtos comerciais: Neemazal-T/S® e óleo de Greeneem®, contendo azadirachtin-A, e cinco extratos em água quente de plantas: Inula viscosa L., Ononis natrix L., Origanum onites L., Pimpinella anisum L. e Teucrium divericatum Sieber) sobre o rendimento e produtividade do champinhon Agaricus bisporus (Lange) Imbach. A concentração empregada foi de 5 ml·l-1 em água para os produtos comerciais e de 50g·l-1 de material seco em água para o extrato. Aplicaram-se aspersões diluídas empapando a superfície (150 ml por saco, equivalente a 1.200 ml·m-2) por meio de aspersores manuais. O efeito dos materiais foi avaliado quanto ao rendimento (kg por saco) e produtividade (relação entre pesos frescos de cogumelos e compost, em porcentagem). A aplicação dos materiais vegetais estimulou o rendimento, o qual foi maior em todos os casos comparados ao controle com água. Com exceção dos extratos de O. natrix y O. onites, houve aumentos significativos em produtividade (7,7-21,9%) como resultado das aplicações ao comparar com o controle. Os resultados sugerem que os materiais vegetais poderiam ter um papel importante no rendimento e produtividade de A. bisporus, e também podem ser usados em cultivos orgânicos de champinhons.

A comparative evaluation of Origanum onites essential oil and its four major components as larvicides against the pine processionary moth, Thaumetopoea wilkinsoni Tams.

The pine processionary moth (PPM), Thaumetopoea wilkinsoni Tams. (Lepidoptera: Thaumatopoeidae), is an important forest pest in the Mediterranean area, and urticating hairs of the caterpillars of this species cause allergic reactions on skin of humans and animals. In the present study, the larvicidal activities of Turkish oregano (Origanum onites L.) essential oil and its four major components, carvacrol, gamma-terpinene, terpinen-4-ol and thymol, were evaluated against fourth/fifth-instar larvae of PPM under laboratory conditions. The essential oil was larvicidal to PPM with an LD(50) value of 3800 microL L(-1) when 0.1 mL was applied per larva. Carvacrol was the most toxic component found in the essential oil (LD(50) = 3100 microL L(-1)), followed by thymol (LD(50) = 5500 microL L(-1)). The other two components, gamma-terpinene and terpinen-4-ol, were less effective. The results showed that Turkish oregano essential oil and its two components, carvacrol and thymol, could be potential alternatives to synthetic insecticides for the control of PPM.

Toxicity of essential oils extracted from Origanum onites L. and Citrus aurentium L. against the pine processionary moth, Thaumetopoea wilkinsoni Tams.

The pine processionary moth (PPM), Thaumetopoea wilkinsoni Tams. (Lepidoptera: Thaumetopoeidae), is an important forest pest in the Mediterranean area, additionally urticating hairs of the caterpillars of this species cause strong allergic reactions on skin of humans and animals. In the present study, essential oils extracted from aerial parts of Origanum onites L. and fruit peels of Citrus aurentium L. were tested at three doses (0.1, 0.5 and 1%) against 4th and 5th instar larvae of the pest. The results showed that the activities were concentration dependent. The LD50 and LD90 values were 0.288 and 0.926% for O. onites, 0.530 and 2.306% for C. aurentium, respectively.