Alternaria alternata, a new pathotype pathogenic to aphids

A fungus, identified as Alternaria alternata, was isolated from dying or dead aphids and proved to be pathogenic. It was isolated from different parts of Greece from aphid specimens on cultivated plants, ornamentals and weeds. In the laboratory, disease development started with the germination of sp...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:BioControl (Dordrecht, Netherlands) Netherlands), 2001-03, Vol.46 (1), p.105-124
Main Authors: Christias, Ch, Hatzipapas, P, Dara, A, Kaliafas, A, Chrysanthis, G
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Alternaria alternata
Aphididae
Aphidoidea
Appressoria
Biological control
Body temperature
Cultivated plants
Discoloration
Exoskeleton
Exoskeletons
Fungi
Germination
Greece
Host plants
Inoculation
Insects
Integument
Mortality
Ornamental plants
Relative humidity
Spores
Sporulation
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Summary:A fungus, identified as Alternaria alternata, was isolated from dying or dead aphids and proved to be pathogenic. It was isolated from different parts of Greece from aphid specimens on cultivated plants, ornamentals and weeds. In the laboratory, disease development started with the germination of spores on the insect integument and the subsequent growth of mycelium. The fungus formed apical and intercalary, globose or lobate appressoria which were firmly attached onto the host exoskeleton and facilitated entrance of the mycelium into the insect body. Under favorable conditions of temperature (15–35 °C) and relative humidity (100%), infected aphids died in 2–4 days. A characteristic brown discoloration accompanied the death of the insects. Both mycelial growth and sporulation were profuse on dead specimens. The pathogen infected all 26 aphid species tested but was unable to infect other insects (Drosophila melanogaster and Ceratitis capitata) or aphid host plants. There were significant differences in mortality rate among aphid species only during the first two days after inoculation. It is suggested that A. alternata may be a good candidate to be exploited for the biological control of aphids.
ISSN:1386-6141
1573-8248
DOI:10.1023/A:1009930112152