Phlebiopsis gigantea and associated viruses survive passing through the digestive tract of Hylobius abietis. Issue 3 (3rd March 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Drenkhan, Tiia; Kasanen, Risto; Vainio, Eeva J.
• Is Part Of: Biocontrol science and technology. Volume 26:Issue 3(2016)
• Page Start: 320
• Page End: 330
• Publication Date: 2016-03-03
• Subjects: Heterobasidion -- biocontrol -- insect vector -- mycovirus; Pests -- Biological control -- Periodicals; Weeds -- Biological control -- Periodicals; Pesticides -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; Plants, Protection of -- Periodicals; Plants -- Biological control -- Periodicals; Agricultural pests -- Control -- Periodicals; Pest Control, Biological -- Periodicals; 632.96
• DOI: 10.1080/09583157.2015.1111998
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0958-3157

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Phlebiopsis gigantea (Fr.) Jül. is one of the most common fungal species in coniferous forests and commonly used as a biological control agent to prevent aerial infections of conifers by Heterobasidion fungi. We used feeding experiments to examine whether Hylobius abietis L. (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) could serve as a vector for P. gigantea and associated viruses by disseminating the fungus in its faecal pellets. Two different P. gigantea strains were used in the experiments: the virus-free Rotsop biocontrol strain and P. gigantea 93073 infected with the virus strain PgLV-1. The Rotstop strain showed 100% viability during insect feeding, while the viability of the virus-infected strain 93073 was only 35%. Virus persistence was 100% during the passage of the host fungus through the alimentary tract. Based on growth experiments using virus-infected and virus-free strains obtained by hyphal tip or oidial isolation, the presence of PgLV-1 did not significantly affect the growth rate of the host fungus.