Entomopathogenic fungi associated with citrus blackfly (Aleurocanthus woglumi Ashby) in Southern Bahia

• Published in: Arquivos do Instituto Biológico (São Paulo) 2018-01, Vol.84
• Main Authors: Lima, Bruno Marcus Freire Vieira, Almeida, José Eduardo Marcondes de, Moreira, José Osmã Teles, Santos, Luís Coelho dos, Bittencourt, Maria Aparecida Leão
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aleyrodidae; citricultura; controle biológico conservativo; controle microbiano
• ISSN: 0020-3653; 1808-1657; 1808-1657
• DOI: 10.1590/1808-1657000102015

The Brazilian citrus industry is the world leading producer of concentrated orange juice. The presence of citrus blackfly Aleurocanthus woglumi Ashby (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) in Brazilian citrus orchards has led to agribusiness problems due to damages and inadequate control measures. Entomopathogenic fungi act as natural control in high precipitation regions, being important components of integrated management. The objective of this work was to identify entomopathogenic fungi associated with citrus blackfly in the southern region of the state of Bahia. Orange (Citrus sinensis L. Osbeck) and Tahiti lime (Citrus latifolia Tann.) leaves infested with citrus blackfly eggs, nymphs and pupae were collected in orchards in the municipalities of Ilhéus and Laje, Bahia, Brazil. Fragments of fungi colonies were disinfected with 70% alcohol and 2% sodium hypochlorite, and then washed with distilled water. After drying, the material was placed in Petri dishes with PDA and chloramphenicol, which were placed in bio-oxygen demand (BOD) incubators (27 ± 2 ºC, 12-hour photophase) until spore production. After isolation, the fungi were replaced in PDA Petri dishes and kept under continuous fluorescent light for 30 days to stimulate growth and spore production. The fungi isolates were preserved in test tubes containing PDA and mineral oil, and then stored at 18 ºC in a refrigerated incubator. Entomopathogenic fungi Aschersonia cf. aleyrodis Webber and Aegerita webberi Fawcett were associated with citrus blackfly in Southern Bahia. RESUMO: A citricultura brasileira lidera mundialmente a produção de suco concentrado de laranja. A presença da mosca-negra-dos-citros Aleurocanthus woglumi Ashby (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) em pomares citrícolas brasileiros tem gerado problemas ao agronegócio, devido aos danos e medidas inadequadas de controle. O controle natural por ação de fungos entomopatogênicos é comum em regiões com alta precipitação, sendo esses agentes importantes componentes do manejo integrado. O objetivo deste trabalho foi identificar fungos entomopatogênicos associados à mosca-negra-dos-citros na região Sul do estado da Bahia. Foram coletadas folhas de laranjeira (Citrus sinensis L. Osbeck) e de lima-Tahiti (Citrus latifolia Tann.) infestadas com ovos, ninfas e pupários da mosca-negra-dos-citros em pomares nos municípios de Ilhéus e Laje, Bahia. Fragmentos de colônias dos fungos foram desinfetados com álcool 70% e hipoclorito de sódio a 2% e, posteriormente, com água destil