Features of Behavioral Reactions of the Peach Aphid Myzus persicae (Sulzer, 1776) (Hemiptera, Aphididae) to Volatile Organic Compounds of Entomopathogenic Fungi of the Genus Lecanicillium

• Published in: Entomological review 2021-11, Vol.101 (8), p.1015-1023
• Main Authors: Mitina, G. V., Stepanycheva, E. A., Choglokova, A. A., Cherepanova, M. A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aphididae; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Entomopathogenic fungi; Fungi; Genetic vectors; Health aspects; Host plants; Insects; Lecanicillium; Life Sciences; Myzus persicae; Organic compounds; Pathogenicity; Repellency; Spores; Strains (organisms); VOCs; Volatile organic compounds; Zoology
• ISSN: 0013-8738; 1555-6689
• DOI: 10.1134/S0013873821080017

In evaluating the effectiveness of entomopathogenic fungi for control of the green peach aphid Myzus persicae (Sulzer, 1776), a dangerous pest and a virus vector, it is necessary to consider the effects of fungal spores and mycelium on the behavior of aphids related to host plant selection. In laboratory experiments, 5 out of 13 strains of different species of the genus Lecanicillium caused the repellency response in aphid females, with the index of aggregation varying from −22.7 to −39.7 and the number of nymphs in the daughter generation decreasing by 1.6–4.2 times. The species of fungi varied significantly in their ability to infect aphid nymphs: Lecanicillium longisporum was the most virulent against the green peach aphid, causing 89% nymphal mortality at a concentration of 1 × 10 7 spores / mL, while Lecanicillium psalliotae was practically non-pathogenic to aphids. All the strains showing significant repellency also possessed pronounced pathogenicity, while the opposite was not always true.