Characterizing the ability of entomopathogenic fungi and their metabolites to reduce vine mealybug and glassy-winged sharpshooter populations

Authors: Wallis, Christopher

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/15/2024
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Grapevines encounter numerous insect pests, many of which are vectors of bacterial and viral pathogens that reduce yields and result in premature decline. Current management entails the use of chemical insecticides, but there is a need for alternative controls because of the development of resistance, changing regulations, and to meet the needs of organic growers. Therefore, research was initiated to obtain, purify, and identify beneficial fungi that could infect and reduce populations of grapevine insect pests, namely vine mealybugs and glassy-winged sharpshooters. These would be screened not only for capacity to directly infect and kill insects, but also for ability to produce metabolites that could reduce insect maturation, feeding, reproduction, or overall survival. Towards this end, roughly 20 fungal isolates were obtained from glassy-winged sharpshooters and roughly 15 were obtained from vine mealybugs collected in Californian vineyards. Small inoculation trials were initiated for several of the fungal strains to observe whether mealybug or sharpshooter adult survival would be affected by exposure. Of these, at least isolate demonstrated the ability to kill and infect roughly half of treated sharpshooters after one month, with other isolates undergoing testing. Newer research has begun to obtain metabolite mixtures to test effects on insect maturation, growth, reproduction, or survival. Completion of this research will potentially identify Californian isolates of entomopathogenic fungi that could be used as biopesticides, as well as novel biorational compounds produced by fungi that could manage sharpshooter and mealybug populations.