Beauveria bassiana strain ATCC 74040 (Naturalis®), a valuable tool for the control of the cherry fruit fly (Rhagoletis cerasi)

摘要

Naturalis® is a bioinsecticide based on living conidiospores of the naturally occuringudBeauveria bassiana strain ATCC 74040. The entomopathogenic fungus acts primarily byudcontact: once attached to the insect’s cuticle, the conidiospores germinate producingudpenetration hyphae, which enter and proliferate inside the insect’s body. The fungusudinvades and feeds on its host, causing its death due to dehydration and/or depletion ofudnutrients. Several years of laboratory, semi-field and field studies showed that also Tephritidudflies (Ceratitis capitata, Rhagoletis cerasi, Bactrocera oleae) are susceptible to infection byudB. bassiana strain ATCC 74040. The results of efficacy trials conducted in 2004-05 areudreported. Naturalis was tested both alone and in an integrated pest management strategy.udThe product showed high efficacy in controlling R. cerasi, comparable to or higher thanudthat of the chemical reference treatment. The B. bassiana-based product Naturalis can thusudbe considered an efficient tool for the control of the cherry fruit fly.