The pathogenicity of entomopathogenic fungus Acremonium hansfordii to two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae and predatory mite Neoseiulus barkeri

Abstract

The two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae, is an important mite pest worldwide. It often leads to reduced crop yields or poor marketability of the produce and has already developed resistance to many acaricides. In this study, the pathogenicity of the entomopathogenic fungus (EPF), Acremonium hansfordii, to T. urticae and its side effects on the predatory mite Neoseiulus barkeri were compared. The toxicity of A. hansfordii was evaluated on T. urticae at 1.0×104, 1.0×106, 1.0×108 conidia/mL concentrations and predatory mite N. barkeri at 1.0×108 conidia/mL under experimental conditions at 25±1°C, 75±5% RH and 16L: 8D photoperiod. The effects of EPF on the development of the F0 and F1 generation of predatory mites were also assessed at 1.0×108 conidia/mL concentration. The results showed that the corrected mortality of T. urticae at three tested concentrations were 36.67%, 53.67% and 66.33% within 11d, and the median lethal time were 14.39 d, 9.84d and 7.99d, respectively. The corrected mortality of N. barkeri was only 3.9% after 11d at 1×108 conidia/mL concentration. Some hyphae of A. hansfordii were detected on the surface of treated T. urticae but not on N. barkeri body after 7d. After N. barkeri females were treated with 1.0×108 conidia/mL, the preoviposition period of the F0 generation was prolonged 1.56 times and the other life history parameters have no significant differences; similar patterns were also shown in the F1 generation. A. hansfordii showed strong pathogenicity against T. urticae but did not significantly adversely influence N. barkeri. Therefore, the combination of A. hansfordii and N. barkeri has the potential to be used for the control of T. urticae in the future.