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First Record of Clonostachys rosea as an Entomopathogenic Fungus of the Cephus fumipennis (Hymenoptera: Cephidae) in China

Summary

Scientists in China discovered a fungus called Clonostachys rosea that naturally kills wheat stem sawfly larvae, a major pest damaging wheat crops. The fungus was isolated from infected larvae and tested for effectiveness against the pest. Laboratory tests showed the fungus can kill sawfly larvae at different concentrations, with the fastest effect at higher spore levels. This discovery offers a natural and environmentally friendly alternative to chemical pesticides for protecting wheat crops.

Background

Cephus fumipennis is a significant pest of wheat crops in northwestern China, causing substantial yield losses. Entomopathogenic fungi represent promising biological control agents due to their pest-specific lethality and minimal environmental impact. This study reports the first identification of Clonostachys rosea as a pathogenic fungus infecting C. fumipennis larvae.

Objective

To isolate and identify entomopathogenic fungi from naturally infected C. fumipennis larvae and evaluate their pathogenicity and optimal growth conditions for potential biocontrol applications. The study aimed to characterize an isolate obtained from deceased C. fumipennis larvae and determine its pathogenic potential against third-instar larvae.

Results

The CF01 strain was identified as Clonostachys rosea with 99% ITS sequence similarity to known strains. Spore suspensions demonstrated dose- and time-dependent pathogenicity against C. fumipennis larvae, with an LT₅₀ of 5.368 days at 1×10⁸ spores/mL. Optimal growth conditions were identified as PPDA medium at 25°C with fructose as carbon source and yeast extract as nitrogen source.

Conclusion

Strain CF01 demonstrates considerable potential for biological control of C. fumipennis, representing the first documented entomopathogenic fungus infecting this pest species in China. The fungus exhibits dual functionality by controlling both the wheat stem sawfly and suppressing Fusarium graminearum, offering a promising approach for integrated pest management in wheat production.
  • Published in:Biology (Basel),
  • Study Type:Laboratory Study,
  • Source: PMID: 41007384, doi: 10.3390/biology14091240
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