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Effect of formulated Metarhizium anisopliae on eggs and eclosing nymphs of Triatoma infestans
Author(s) -
Rodrigues J.,
Lobo L. S.,
Fernandes É. K. K.,
Luz C.
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
journal of applied entomology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.795
H-Index - 60
eISSN - 1439-0418
pISSN - 0931-2048
DOI - 10.1111/jen.12183
Subject(s) - metarhizium anisopliae , biology , triatoma infestans , nymph , conidium , entomopathogenic fungus , relative humidity , incubation period , metarhizium , reduviidae , botany , incubation , veterinary medicine , horticulture , biological pest control , hemiptera , trypanosoma cruzi , parasite hosting , beauveria bassiana , world wide web , computer science , medicine , biochemistry , physics , thermodynamics
Little is known about the ovicidal effects of fungi that attack nymphs and adults of triatomine vectors. A combined formulation of Metarhizium anisopliae IP 46 conidia prepared with diatomaceous earth ( DE ) and vegetable oil was tested against eggs of Triatoma infestans . Eggs were highly susceptible to fungal infection at relative humidity close to saturation [>98% relative humidity ( RH )] but not at 75% RH regardless of the formulation applied. Susceptibility of eggs decreased with longer post‐ovipositional embryonation periods before treatments. The eventual eclosion of nymphs was best suppressed by application of conidia prepared with DE + oil and at a >98% RH incubation. Moreover, nymphs were less affected by the fungus when exposed for only a 24‐h period after eclosion to a treated surface than individuals that were in constant contact with the conidia. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the potential of M. anisopliae as an agent against all developmental stages of T. infestans .