Articles
ENTOMOPATHOGENIC FUNGI IN LOWBUSH BLUEBERRY FIELDS
Article number
446_67
Pages
465 – 476
Language
Abstract
Insects collected from lowbush blueberry fields in eastern Canada from 1991–1992 were screened for fungal pathogens.
Insect mortality typically was 20 – 25% with fungal entomopathogens accounting for <1 – 10% of this mortality, or 0.5 – 5% of all insects sampled.
Distribution of the pathogens was patchy, occurring more commonly in fields with large insect populations.
A total of 9 fungal entomopathogens were recorded and a complex of 4–5 species per field was usual.
The most common species were Verticillium lecanii and Paecilomyces farinosus. These collections have also yielded a new Hirsutella species from cutworms.
This study has shown that fungal pathogens are resident in lowbush blueberry fields and may have potential as new biological control agents.
Insect mortality typically was 20 – 25% with fungal entomopathogens accounting for <1 – 10% of this mortality, or 0.5 – 5% of all insects sampled.
Distribution of the pathogens was patchy, occurring more commonly in fields with large insect populations.
A total of 9 fungal entomopathogens were recorded and a complex of 4–5 species per field was usual.
The most common species were Verticillium lecanii and Paecilomyces farinosus. These collections have also yielded a new Hirsutella species from cutworms.
This study has shown that fungal pathogens are resident in lowbush blueberry fields and may have potential as new biological control agents.
Publication
Authors
D. Strongman, P. Dixon, K. MacKenzie
Keywords
Paecilomyces sp., Verticillium lecanii, Beauveria bassiana, ecology, insect pests
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