Susceptibility of the Convergent Lady Beetle ('Coleoptera: Coccinellidae') toFour Entomogenous Fungi

摘要

Many entomogenous fungi used as biological control agents of insect pests havebroad host ranges and may infect nontarget organisms, potentially causing unanticipated environmental effects. The authors tested the susceptibility of a predatory beetle, Hippodamia convergens Guerin-Meneville, to five entomogenous fungi, all of which are being considered or used for pest control; Metarhizium anisopliae, Paecilomyces fumosoroseus, Nomuraea rileyi, and two strains of Beauveria bassiana. First-instar beetle larvae were exposed in laboratory bioassays to five concentrations of fungal preparations. M. anisopliae caused up to 97% mortality, an aphid-derived strain of B. bassiana caused up to 95% mortality, a beetle-derived strain of B. bassiana caused up to 75% mortality, and P. fumosoroseus caused up to 56% mortality. The authors conclude the M. anisopliae, B. bassiana, and P. fumosoroseus have the potential to infect H. convergens if used in crops where this predator occurs, whereas N. rileyi does not.