MICROBIAL CONTROL OF THE GLASSY-WINGED SHARPSHOOTER WITH ENTOMOPATHOGENIC FUNGI

• Author(s): Kaya, Harry; Dara, Surendra; McGuire, Michael;
• Abstract: Objectives of our study were to search for fungal pathogens of the glassy-winged sharpshooter (GWSS), Homalodisca coagulata (Say) and evaluate their potential against the host. Searches within citrus orchards in Tulare and Riverside counties revealed no natural infections of entomopathogenic fungi in GWSS populations. Entomopathogenic fungi were also absent in cadavers of GWSS periodically collected from Riverside citrus orchards (courtesy CDFA) when incubated in the laboratory under ideal conditions for fungal emergence. However, about 140 isolates of Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) Vuillemin and four isolates of Metarhizium anisopliae (Metschnikoff) Sorokin, both hyphomycetous fungi, were isolated from soil in GWSS habitats and other insect hosts. Some of these isolates along with a Weslaco isolate of B. bassiana from GWSS and a commercial B. bassiana isolate have been tested against GWSS. Preliminary results indicate that GWSS is susceptible to high concentrations of these fungi.
• Publication Date: Dec 2004
• Journal: 2004 Pierce's Disease Research Symposium