Laboratory and field studies for the control of Chagas disease vectors using the fungus Metarhizium anisopliae. Issue 4 (7th October 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Rangel, Drauzio E. N.; Piedrabuena, Aquiles E.; Roitman, Isaac; Messias, Claudio L.
• Other Names: Kim Jae Su guestEditor.
• Is Part Of: Archives of insect biochemistry and physiology. Volume 105:Issue 4(2020)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2020-10-07
• Subjects: biological control of insects -- entomopathogenic fungus -- Panstrongylus megistus -- Triatoma infestans -- Triatoma sordida; Insects -- Physiology -- Periodicals; Insect biochemistry -- Periodicals; 595.701572
• DOI: 10.1002/arch.21745
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0739-4462

Abstract

Abstract: Chagas disease is one of the most important insect‐vectored diseases in Brazil. The entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium anisopliae was evaluated against nymphs and adults of Panstrongylus megistus, Triatoma infestans, and T. sordida . Pathogenicity tests at saturated humidity demonstrated high susceptibility to fungal infection. The shortest estimates of 50% lethal time (LT50 ) for P. megistus varied from 4.6 (isolate E9) to 4.8 days (genetically modified strain 157p). For T. infestans, the shortest LT50 was 6.3 (E9) and 7.3 days (157p). For T. sordida, the shortest LT50 was 8.0 days (157p). The lethal concentration sufficient to kill 50% of T. infestans (LC50 ) was 1.9 × 10 7 conidia/ml for strain 157p. In three chicken coops that were sprayed with M. anisopliae, nymphs especially were well controlled, with a great population reduction of 38.5% after 17 days. Therefore M. anisopliae performed well, controlling Triatominae in both laboratory and field studies. Abstract : Metarhizium anisopliae performed well against nymphs and adults of Panstrongylus megistus, Triatoma infestans, and T. sordida in both laboratory and field studies, demonstrating its possible use to control these Chagas disease vectors. Highlights: Metarhizium anisopliae performed well controlling Triatominae insects in both in the laboratory and field.