Evaluation of entomopathogenic fungi against Mediterranean fruit fly

Document Type

Conference Proceeding

Publication Date

11-2023

Conference Title

The 2023 Australian Entomological Society 54th Annual General Meeting and Scientific Conference - Albany, WA

Place of Publication

Albany

Disciplines

Biosecurity | Entomology

Abstract

Mediterranean fruit fly (Medfly, Ceratitis capitata) is an economically important endemic pest species in Western Australia (WA) that attacks a wide range of fruits, vegetables, and nuts. It is associated with serious economic losses indirectly affecting market access and trade of horticulture commodities. Medfly management options in WA typically include bait spraying (protein and insecticides), cover sprays, mass trapping and lure-and-kill, sterile insect technique (SIT), sanitation, and area wide integrated pest management (IPM). Similarly, eradication programs target the adult stage, with a single pesticide, Spinosad, currently available for use in urban and peri-urban areas. Entomopathogens as biocontrol agents (BCAs) are an integral part of IPM however, currently, biocontrol as an IPM tool to manage Medfly in WA remains to be developed. The Research Roadmap, Strengthening Australia’s Fruit Fly System Research Program acknowledges BCAs as a high priority research area providing an opportunity to evaluate the potential of entomopathogens against fruit fly. The overarching aims of this proof-of-concept research were to widen the currently limited knowledge on the effectiveness of entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) that are commercially available in Australia as potential BCAs of Medfly. The project focussed on three core areas of research: susceptibility of Medfly life stages to EPF including effects on adult survival with and without bait, effects on oviposition and semi-field or field performance of EPF. Mortality due to mycoses was used as a measure of success in bioassays designed to assess Medfly susceptibility. A proof-of-concept auto-dissemination device was designed for horizontal transmission that used EPF dust in wild type and SIT flies. Data indicated that EPF products caused egg mortality and had larvicidal, pupicidal, and adulticidal activity, and deterred oviposition. Results demonstrated for the first time that EPF dust in auto-disseminator could effectively be transferred from bodily contact and impacted survival of adults.

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