When Competitors Join Forces: Consortia of Entomopathogenic Microorganisms Increase Killing Speed and Mortality in Leaf- and Root-Feeding Insect Hosts

Combining different biocontrol agents (BCA) is an approach to increase efficacy and reliability of biological control. If several BCA are applied together, they have to be compatible and ideally work together. We studied the interaction of a previously selected BCA consortium of entomopathogenic pse...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Microbial ecology 2023-10, Vol.86 (3), p.1947-1960
Main Authors: Spescha, Anna, Zwyssig, Maria, Hess Hermida, Mathias, Moix, Aurélie, Bruno, Pamela, Enkerli, Jürg, Campos-Herrera, Raquel, Grabenweger, Giselher, Maurhofer, Monika
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Biological control
Biomedical and Life Sciences
Cadavers
Colonization
Competitors
Consortia
Diabrotica balteata
Ecology
Effectiveness
Fungi
Geoecology/Natural Processes
Insects
Larvae
Leaves
Life Sciences
Microbial Ecology
Microbiology
Microorganisms
Mortality
Nature Conservation
Nematodes
Pest control
Pests
Rhizosphere
Symbionts
Water Quality/Water Pollution
Xenorhabdus
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Summary:Combining different biocontrol agents (BCA) is an approach to increase efficacy and reliability of biological control. If several BCA are applied together, they have to be compatible and ideally work together. We studied the interaction of a previously selected BCA consortium of entomopathogenic pseudomonads ( Pseudomonas chlororaphis ), nematodes ( Steinernema feltiae associated with Xenorhabdus bovienii ), and fungi ( Metarhizium brunneum ). We monitored the infection course in a leaf- ( Pieris brassicae ) and a root-feeding ( Diabrotica balteata ) pest insect after simultaneous application of the three BCA as well as their interactions inside the larvae in a laboratory setting. The triple combination caused the highest mortality and increased killing speed compared to single applications against both pests. Improved efficacy against P. brassicae was mainly caused by the pseudomonad-nematode combination, whereas the nematode-fungus combination accelerated killing of D. balteata . Co-monitoring of the three BCA and the nematode-associated Xenorhabdus symbionts revealed that the four organisms are able to co-infect the same larva. However, with advancing decay of the cadaver there is increasing competition and cadaver colonization is clearly dominated by the pseudomonads, which are known for their high competitivity in the plant rhizosphere. Altogether, the combination of the three BCA increased killing efficacy against a Coleopteran and a Lepidopteran pest which indicates that this consortium could be applied successfully against a variety of insect pests. Graphical Abstract
ISSN:0095-3628
1432-184X
1432-184X
DOI:10.1007/s00248-023-02191-0