[en] Pea aphid is a pest of many cultivated and wild plants, but also a vector of several viral diseases. To control this pest, the most widely used methods are physical, chemical and more recently an integrated approach that includes biological control. With the use of pathogenic agents against insects, the use of entomopathogenic fungi is one of the most promising. The present study demonstrated the possibility of using an entomopathogenic fungus Aspergillus clavatus against aphids. In laboratory conditions (8/16 photoperiod, average temperature 25°C), the insects were in contact with different concentrations ranging from 10^2 to 10^4 spores/cm2 deposited on filter paper in Petri dishes, or applied directly to young plants with doses ranging from 10^4 to 10^6 spores/ml. In 24 hours, mortality was 0 to 31.5% in Petri dishes. For treatment plants, the cumulative mortality in 5 days was 55 to 79%. Microscopic observations showed that the aphids were infected by contact and fungus has a mycosis effect. From these preliminary results, investigations should be made to study the action of the fungus on the reproduction of aphids. Therefore, A. clavatus could be introduced along with other fungi found in the literature as a biological control agent against aphids.
Disciplines :
Entomology & pest control
Author, co-author :
Seye, Fawrou; Université Cheikh Anta Diop > Faculté des Sciences et Techniques > Biologie Animale > Laboratoire de Biologie de la Reproduction
Bawin, Thomas ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Doct. sc. agro. & ingé. biol.
Delvigne, Frank ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Chimie et bio-industries > Bio-industries
Francis, Frédéric ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Sciences agronomiques > Entomologie fonctionnelle et évolutive
Language :
English
Title :
Pathogenicity test of the fungus Aspergillus clavatus on aphid Acyrthosiphon pisum (Aphididae)
Alternative titles :
[fr] Test de pathogénicité du champignon Aspergillus clavatus sur le puceron Acyrthosiphon pisum (Aphididae)