The Susceptibility of Boophilus annulatus (Ixodidae) Ticks to Entomopathogenic Fungi

• Published in: Biocontrol science and technology 2001-02, Vol.11 (1), p.111-118
• Main Authors: Gindin, G., Samish, M., Alekseev, E., Glazer, I.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Beauveria bassiana; Biocontrol; Boophilus Annulatus; Entomopathogenic Fungi; Ixodidae; Metarhizium; Pathogenicity; Ticks; Verticillium lecanii
• ISSN: 0958-3157; 1360-0478
• DOI: 10.1080/09583150020029790

The pathogenicity of five species of entomopathogenic fungi (Deuteromycetes, species: Beauveria bassiana, Metarhizium anisopliae, Metarhizium flavoviride, Paecilomyces fumosoroseus and Verticillium lecanii ) to the various developmental stages of Boophilus annulatus ticks was compared under laboratory conditions. M. anisopliae and B. bassiana strains were most virulent to engorged females and caused 85-100% mortality within 7-10 days post-inoculation (PI). The highest mortality of engorged females caused by other fungi reached only 25-60%. All tested fungi prevented or reduced the egg laying capability of the ticks several days before their death. Females surviving after treatment with the most virulent M. anisopliae strain (Ma-7) reached only 7-8% of their egg laying capacity as compared with the control. Other fungi caused a reduction of the weight of laid eggs by 35.4-80.8% as compared with untreated females. Only M. anisopliae and B. bassiana strains caused 70-98% mortality of the treated eggs. Unfed larvae of Boophilus annulatus were sensitive to M. anisopliae and M. flavoviride strains. The Ma-7 strain was most virulent to unfed larvae, with a mortality rate of 80.4% at a concentration of 1 &#50 107 spores ml -1 and 100% mortality at a concentration of 1 &#50 108 spores ml -1 .