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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Peoria, Illinois » National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research » Crop Bioprotection Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #337511
Research Project: Development of Production and Formulation Technologies for Microbial Biopesticides in Conjunction with the Development of Attractants and Repellents for Invasive Insect Pests

Location: Crop Bioprotection Research

Title: A foam formulation of an entomopathogenic fungus for control of boring beetles in avocado orchards

Author
item Dunlap, Christopher

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/20/2017
Publication Date: 2/24/2017
Citation: Dunlap, C.A. 2017. A foam formulation of an entomopathogenic fungus for control of boring beetles in avocado orchards. Meeting Abstract.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: A foam formulation of Beauveria bassiana was adapted to control boring beetles in avocado orchards. The two geographically independent avocado growing areas in the United States are threatened by emerging diseases vectored by boring beetles. In the California growing region, Fusarium dieback is vectored by the Tea shot hole borer (Euwallacea fornticatus) which has a symbiosis with a plant pathogenic Fusarium sp. In the Florida growing region, Laurel wilt is vectored by the red bay ambrosia beetle (Xyleborus glabratus), which has a symbiosis with the plant pathogen Raffaelea lauricola. The current study evaluates the effectiveness of this novel application strategy and formulation to control the insects under orchard conditions. Preliminary results show some potential in controlling some species of boring beetles in avocados.