A DNA-based approach to infer species diversity of larvae and adults from the white grub genus (Coleoptera: Scarabeidae).

Scarabaeoidea is a diverse and widely distributed insect group; many are agricultural pests including species within the genus . Species diversity studies in this taxonomic group are done mainly using morphological identification. However, despite existing taxonomic keys for adults and larvae, identification may be difficult due to their complex morphology.

Combined application of entomopathogenic fungi and predatory mites for biological control of Tetranychus urticae on chrysanthemum.

Background: Most studies on efficacy of fungal pathogens and predatory mites against Tetranychus urticae have been done on individual species in the laboratory. We evaluated fungi and predatory mites separately and together against glasshouse populations of T. urticae on chrysanthemum plants.

Thirty-minute test to detect insecticide resistance under field conditions: the case of the Asian citrus psyllid.

Background: Diaphorina citri Kuwayama is one of the most destructive citrus pests worldwide. It is controlled mainly through applications of conventional insecticides. Methodologies used to estimate resistance to insecticides do not correlate with field efficacy, and do not provide timely and reliable information to make decisions at a site where spraying is needed.

Berry species and crop management approaches affect species diversity and abundance of predatory mites (Acari: Phytoseiidae).

Berries comprise an economically important group of crops. Knowledge about their arthropod pests and biological control agents is important in the development of more efficient integrated pest management programs. Identification of potential biocontrol agents based solely on morphological attributes may be difficult and so molecular techniques should be incorporated.

Incidence of Citrus leprosis virus C and Orchid fleck dichorhavirus Citrus Strain in Mites of the Genus Brevipalpus in Mexico.

The incidences of Citrus leprosis virus C (CiLV-C) and Orchid fleck dichorhavirus Citrus strain (OFV-citrus) were determined in field populations of Brevipalpus mites from 15 citrus-producing states in Mexico. Mites were collected from orange, grapefruit, mandarin, lime, and sweet lime orchards. Brevipalpus yothersi (Baker) (Trombidiformes: Tenuipalpidae) was the most abundant species followed by Brevipalpus californicus (Banks) (Trombidiformes: Tenuipalpidae), which confirmed previous reports.

Differential Susceptibility of Bagrada hilaris (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) to Different Species of Fungal Pathogens.

Bagrada hilaris Burmeister (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) is a pest of Palearctic origin. Its presence in the United States was first reported in 2008 and in Mexico in 2014; it affects brassica crops. There are practically no reports of natural enemies of B.

Spatiotemporal association between the mite Brevipalpus yothersi and Citrus leprosis virus C in orange orchards.

Citrus leprosis virus C (CiLV-C) is an economically important pathogen and the main causative agent of leprosis disease in citrus orchards. The main vector of this disease, the mite Brevipalpus yothersi, is widely distributed in Mexican orchards on a wide range of citrus species. Despite the importance of both the virus and the mite, field studies recording their occurrence and co-occurrence are practically non-existent.

Transmission of Citrus leprosis virus C by the Mite, Brevipalpus yothersi (Acari: Tenuipalpidae), on Four Species of Citrus.

Transmission of the virus, Citrus leprosis virus C (CiLV-C) (Cilevirus) by Brevipalpus yothersi Baker, on different citrus species was evaluated under greenhouse conditions. First, the relationship between acquisition access periods (AAPs; 1, 12, 24, 36, and 48 h) and virus concentration in mites was determined. Second, the ability of B.

Interaction of Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae with chlorpyrifos ethyl and spinosad in Spodoptera frugiperda larvae.

Background: The high natural resistance of the fall armyworm (FAW) to entomopathogenic fungi and the speed at which it develops resistance to chemical insecticides make it difficult to control in several crops where it is a key pest. The aim of the study was to improve mortality by combining a 50% lethal concentration of chlorpyrifos ethyl or spinosad with the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana (Bb88) or Metarhizium anisopliae (ETL).

Results: Three main results were obtained.

Susceptibility of Diaphorina citri (Hemiptera: Liviidae) and Its Parasitoid Tamarixia radiata (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) to Entomopathogenic Fungi under Laboratory Conditions.

Diaphorina citri (Kuwayama) is a global pest of citrus that transmits the bacteria associated with the disease, Huanglongbing. Entomopathogenic fungi and the parasitoid Tamarixia radiata (Waterston) are important biological control agents of this pest and likely to interact in D. citri populations.

Species Diversity and Population Dynamics of Entomopathogenic Fungal Species in the Genus Metarhizium-a Spatiotemporal Study.

We studied the species diversity and population genetic structure of isolates of fungi from the entomopathogenic genus Metarhizium that had been isolated from sugarcane crops and surrounding grass. Soil and leaf samples were taken on four sampling occasions over 13 months (October 2014-October 2015). Isolations were made using the Galleria mellonella baiting method and selective media.

Differential Host Plant-Associated Genetic Variation Between Sympatric Mite Species of the Genus Oligonychus (Acari: Tetranychidae).

Adaptation to different host plants can lead to host-associated differentiation (HAD). The mites Oligonychus perseae and Oligonychus punicae have a broad range of host plants, but, to date, records of them coexisting sympatrically had only been reported on avocado. However, our field observations showed both species coexisting on host plants other than avocado.

Analysis of Genetic Variation in Brevipalpus yothersi (Acari: Tenuipalpidae) Populations from Four Species of Citrus Host Plants.

We studied species diversity and genetic variation among populations of Brevipalpus mites from four species of citrus host plants. We sampled mites on orange, lime, grapefruit and mandarin trees from orchards at six localities distributed in the five most important citrus producing states in Mexico. Genetic variation among citrus host plants and localities were assessed by analysis of nucleotide sequence data from fragments of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI).

Specific Diversity of Metarhizium Isolates Infecting Aeneolamia spp. (Hemiptera: Cercopidae) in Sugarcane Plantations.

Spittlebugs from the genus Aeneolamia are important pests of sugarcane. Although the use of the entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizum anisopliae s.l.

Bacteria Present in Comadia redtenbacheri Larvae (Lepidoptera: Cossidae).

The external and internal culturable bacterial community present in the larvae of Comadia redtenbacheri Hammerschmidt, an edible insect, was studied. Characterization of the isolates determined the existence of 18 morphotypes and phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene revealed the existence of Paenibacillus sp., Bacillus safensis, Pseudomonas sp.

Temporal Variation in Immune Components of the White Grub Phyllophaga polyphylla (Bates) (Coleoptera: Melolonthidae).

Ecological immunology assumes that the host immune efficiency is correlated with its survival after pathogen challenge. To test this hypothesis, we challenged Phyllophaga polyphylla (Bates) larvae with the naturally occurring fungus Metarhizium pingshaense on two consecutive years (2011 and 2012). In each year, we injected the blastospores of M.

Metarhizium pingshaense applied as a seed treatment induces fungal infection in larvae of the white grub Anomala cincta.

Metarhizium pingshaense has potential as a control agent of the white grub Anomala cincta. We compared its ability to cause infection when applied as a seed treatment or directly to the compost around the plant roots. Although the greatest infection (93%) occured in the direct inoculation treatment, 50% of larvae still became infected by M.

Occurrence of entomopathogenic fungi in tejocote (Crataegus mexicana) orchard soils and their pathogenicity against Rhagoletis pomonella.

Aims: To determine the abundance and diversity of entomopathogenic fungi in tejocote orchard soils and evaluate their ability to infect Rhagoletis pomonella Walsh., the main pest of tejocote.

Methods And Results: Surveys were made in two locations in Mexico state and two in Puebla state.

Contrasting effects of geographical separation on the genetic population structure of sympatric species of mites in avocado orchards.

Oligonychus punicae and Oligonychus perseae (Acari: Tetranychidae) are the most important mite species affecting avocado orchards in Mexico. Here we used nucleotide sequence data from segments of the nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacers (ITS1 and ITS2) and mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) genes to assess the phylogenetic relationships between both sympatric mite species and, using only ITS sequence data, examine genetic variation and population structure in both species, to test the hypothesis that, although both species co-occur, their genetic population structures are different in both Michoacan state (main producer) and Mexico state. Phylogenetic analysis showed a clear separation between both species using ITS and COI sequence information.

Specific diversity of the entomopathogenic fungi Beauveria and Metarhizium in Mexican agricultural soils.

Prior knowledge of the local population structure of entomopathogenic fungi is considered an important requisite when developing microbial control strategies against major pests of crops such as white grubs. An extensive survey in the estate of Guanajuato, one of the main agricultural regions of Mexico, was carried out to determine the abundance and diversity of entomopathogenic fungi in soil. Soil collected from 11 locations was baited for entomopathogenic fungi using Galleria mellonella.

Order of inoculation affects the success of co-invading entomopathogenic fungi.

The effect of order of inoculation of Pandora blunckii and Zoophthora radicans co-infecting Plutella xylostella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae) was investigated. After co-inoculation, the proportion of larvae infected by either species was greatly reduced compared to when they were inoculated singly.

Competition between isolates of Zoophthora radicans co-infecting Plutella xylostella populations.

Interactions between Zoophthora radicans isolates were studied in vitro and in vivo during infection of Plutella xylostella larvae. We distinguished between isolates within infected hosts using PCR-RFLP. Isolates obtained from P.

Selection of a fungal isolate for the control of the pink hibiscus mealybug Maconellicoccus hirsutus.

Background: Maconellicoccus hirsutus Green is a widely distributed pest of numerous crops. Although synthetic pesticides are used to control this pest, entomopathogenic fungi may provide an alternative control mechanism. Three experiments were carried out to select a fungal isolate with the potential to be used as a microbial control agent.

Diversity and genetic population structure of fungal pathogens infecting white grub larvae in agricultural soils.

White grub larvae are important soil-dwelling pests in many regions of Mexico as they attack many important crops such as maize. The use of synthetic chemicals is currently the main control strategy, but they are not always effective; thus, other alternatives are needed. Microbial control using entomopathogenic fungi represents an important alternative strategy, and species within the genera Beauveria and Metarhizium are considered amongst the most promising candidates.

Susceptibility of the cactus weevil Metamasius spinolae to Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae under laboratory and field conditions.

Aims: To evaluate different entomopathogenic fungal isolates against the cactus weevil Metamasius spinolae under laboratory and field conditions, and select an isolate to be used as a tool in the management of this insect pest.

Methods And Results: Four experiments were carried out. The effect of temperature on the in vitro growth of eight isolates of entomopathogenic fungi (two Metarhizium anisopliae and six Beauveria bassiana) was assessed.