Indigenous Turkish entomopathogenic fungi as potential biological control agents of the Rose Aphid, Macrosiphum rosae L. (Hemiptera: Aphididae)

OpenAlex İngilizce

The rose aphid, Macrosiphum rosae L. (Hemiptera: Aphididae), is one of the important pests of roses (Rosa spp.) (Rosaceae) in many parts of the world, including Türkiye. In the present study, the pathogenic activity of five indigenous entomopathogenic fungal (EPF) isolates [three isolates of Beauveria bassiana (BbDm-1, BbKm-1, BbMp-1), one isolate of Isaria farinosa (IfGp-1) and one isolate of Purpureocillium lilacinum (PlKa-1)], were tested for their activity against nymphs and adults of M. rosae under laboratory conditions. Spore suspensions of three different concentrations (1 × 107, 1 × 108 and 1 × 109 conidia/ml) obtained from a 10-day old culture of the isolates on PDA (Potato Dextrose Agar) medium were tested by spray application against both nymphs and adults of M. rosae. The mortality rate was dose-dependent and increased with spore concentration of the isolates (P < 0.05). Of the five isolates tested, two B. bassiana isolates, BbDm-1 and BbKm-1, were the most pathogenic and caused mortalities of 100% and 83.3% in nymphs, and 96.7% and 80.0% in adults, respectively, at the highest concentration (1 x 109 conidia/ml), 7 days after treatment. Overall results suggest that these two B. bassiana isolates have the potential to be used in the control of M. rosae.