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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Tifton, Georgia » Crop Genetics and Breeding Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #408845
Research Project: Genetic Improvement and Cropping Systems of Warm-season Grasses for Forage, Feedstocks, Syrup, and Turf

Location: Crop Genetics and Breeding Research

Title: Entomophthoralean and hypocrealean fungal pathogens of the sugarcane aphid, Melanaphis sacchari (Hemiptera: Aphididae), on sorghum in Georgia

Author
item CASTRILLO, LOUELA - Cornell University
item Harris-Shultz, Karen

Submitted to: Journal of Invertebrate Pathology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/10/2024
Publication Date: 4/11/2024
Citation: Castrillo, L., Harris-Shultz, K.R. 2024. Entomophthoralean and hypocrealean fungal pathogens of the sugarcane aphid, Melanaphis sacchari (Hemiptera: Aphididae), on sorghum in Georgia . Journal of Invertebrate Pathology. 204:108107. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jip.2024.108107.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jip.2024.108107

Interpretive Summary: The invasive sugarcane aphid has been an economically important pest to sorghum since it was first found in the U.S. in 2013. Two insecticides have been used for its control but both have similar modes of action. A need exists for an alternative form of sugarcane aphid control in case the aphid develops pesticide resistance (which commonly occurs for insects) and for organic sorghum production. In this study, naturally occurring fungi that kill sugarcane aphids were identified from aphids infesting sorghum grown in Georgia. From morphological and molecular data, the fungi Akanthomyces dipterigenus, Neoconidiobolus thromboides, and Neoconidiobolus sp. were identified infecting sugarcane aphids from the four farms sampled. The identification of these fungi and their preservation allows the potential of a biologically based insecticide to be developed.

Technical Abstract: The sugarcane aphid, Melanaphis sacchari, is a widely distributed insect that attacks grasses in different genera including Saccharum and Sorghum. The invasive aphid superclone was first discovered in the US attacking grain sorghum in Texas in 2013. Since then, it has been found in at least 25 states including Georgia. Fungal epizootics in sugarcane aphid populations on sorghum were observed in Tifton, GA, with cyclical patterns of aphid population build ups followed by crashes. We monitored aphid populations over a 3-yr period on four farms in Tifton and Fort Valley, GA, and identified entomopathogenic fungi in the orders Entomophthorales and Hypocreales.