ENTOMOPATHOGENIC FUNGI FOR BIOLOGICAL CONTROL OF THE GLASSY-WINGED SHARPSHOOTER, HOMALODISCA COAGULATA

• Author(s): Kaya, Harry; Bonner, Tony; McGuire, Michael;
• Abstract: The glassy-winged sharpshooter (GWSS), Homalodisca coagulata, is a threat to the grape industry because it is an efficient, mobile vector of the bacterium, Xylella fastidiosa, the causal agent of Pierces disease. GWSS is native to the southeastern USA and has been established in southern California for more than a decade. As this insect moves and establishes in new areas, without its natural complement of natural enemies, control measures are needed. Although chemical insecticides are available, there are environmental and human health concerns with their use. Moreover, chemical insecticides can be disruptive in IPM programs where insect parasitoids and predators effectively control other pests. Thus, alternative control approaches are needed. One of these approaches is microbial control and we are examining the potential of utilizing entomopathogenic fungi to control GWSS. Entomopathogenic fungi may be effective against this insect with piercing-sucking mouthparts because fungi can infect directly through the integument whereas other pathogens require ingestion to cause infections. Entomopathogenic fungi offer promise as control agents because they have been recovered from GWSS and its close relatives. Mizell and Boucias (2002) found mycosed (Hirsutella spp.) GWSS cadavers from Florida and Georgia. In addition, a number of entomopathogenic fungi have been reported from related leafhopper species. These fungi include Erynia spp. (Matsui et al. 1998; Sierotzki et al. 2000), Torrubiella hemipterigena (Hywel-Jones et al., 1997), Zoophthora radicans (McGuire et al. 1987 a, b; Galaini-Wraight et al. 1991, 1992; Magalhaes et al. 1991) and Beauveria bassiana (Lane et al. 1991). In California, McGuire et al (2001) and McGuire (2002) have isolated B. bassiana from the Lygus bug from alfalfa fields. In one field more than 65% of the Lygus bugs were infected with B. bassiana. These reports indicate that a number of fungal species infect plant bugs, leafhoppers and sharpshooters and could be used as biological control agents.
• Publication Date: Aug 2003
• Journal: 2003 Pierce's Disease Research Symposium