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Bioprospecting of four Beauveria bassiana strains and their potential as biological control agents for Anastrepha ludens Loew 1873 (Diptera: Tephritidae)

Summary

Researchers tested four strains of a beneficial fungus called Beauveria bassiana from Mexico to see if they could control the Mexican fruit fly, a major pest that damages mango and orange crops. The fungus naturally infects insects and kills them. Tests showed that all four strains were very effective at killing adult fruit flies, with the best performance at higher spore concentrations. These locally adapted fungal strains may work better than imported alternatives for farmers in the Veracruz region.

Background

Anastrepha ludens is a major pest affecting mango and orange crops in Mexico. Entomopathogenic fungi (EPF), particularly Beauveria bassiana, have been studied as biological control agents, but efficacy varies with environmental conditions. Native strains adapted to local conditions are suggested to be more effective than non-native alternatives.

Objective

The study aimed to bioprospect Beauveria bassiana strains isolated from Veracruz, Mexico and evaluate their potential as biological control agents for A. ludens. The researchers assessed conidium viability, mycelial growth, conidium production, and pathogenicity of four selected strains.

Results

Conidium viability ranged from 88-98%, with highest growth rate in rice media (2.63 mm/day). Spore production was highest in PDA and A. ludens pupae media (1.18×10^8 and 7.83×10^7 conidia/ml respectively). All four strains caused mortality above 80% at the highest concentration, with the lowest LT50 of 5.51 days at 10^7 conidia/ml.

Conclusion

The four B. bassiana strains from Veracruz showed optimal characteristics for potential use as biological control agents against A. ludens. These native strains demonstrated superior performance compared to some Mexican strains, suggesting their habitat adaptation makes them viable candidates for field application in Veracruz.
  • Published in:PLoS ONE,
  • Study Type:Experimental Laboratory Study,
  • Source: PMID: 40577276, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0324441
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