How to translate text using browser tools
1 February 2013 Investigating Alternatives to Traditional Insecticides: Effectiveness of Entomopathogenic Fungi and Bacillus thuringiensis Against Citrus Thrips and Avocado Thrips (Thysanoptera: Thripidae)
Deane K. Zahn, Joseph G. Morse
Author Affiliations +
Abstract

Citrus thrips, Scirtothrips citri (Moulton) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), is a plant-feeding pest most widely recognized for causing damage to citrus (Citrus spp. L. [Rutaceae]) and mango (Mangifera indica L. [Anacardiaceae]) fruits. This insect has recently broadened its known host range to become a significant pest of California grown blueberries. Avocado thrips, Scirtothrips. perseae Nakahara (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), is a recent, invasive pest of California avocados , Persea americana Mill. (Laurales: Lauraceae). Effective alternatives to traditional pesticides are desirable for both pests to reduce impacts on natural enemies and broaden control options in an effort to minimize pesticide resistance via rotation of control materials. We evaluated Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) subsp. israelensis proteins (Cyt 1A and Cry 11A, activated and inactivated) and multiple strains (GHA, 1741ss, SFBb1, S44ss, NI1ss, and 3769ss) of Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) Vuillemin against both species. Avocado thrips and citrus thrips were not susceptible to either Bt protein tested, regardless of activation status. All strains of B. bassiana were able to infect both avocado thrips and citrus thrips. However, the commercially available GHA strain was the most effective strain against both species and had a faster rate of infection then the other strains tested. Citrus thrips were more susceptible than avocado thrips to all B. bassiana strains (LC50 and LC95 of 8.6 × 104 and 4.8 × 106 conidia per ml for citrus thrips, respectively). Investigation of citrus thrips field control using the GHA strain of B. bassiana is therefore justified.

© 2013 Entomological Society of America
Deane K. Zahn and Joseph G. Morse "Investigating Alternatives to Traditional Insecticides: Effectiveness of Entomopathogenic Fungi and Bacillus thuringiensis Against Citrus Thrips and Avocado Thrips (Thysanoptera: Thripidae)," Journal of Economic Entomology 106(1), 64-72, (1 February 2013). https://doi.org/10.1603/EC10441
Received: 8 December 2010; Accepted: 1 November 2012; Published: 1 February 2013
JOURNAL ARTICLE
9 PAGES

This article is only available to subscribers.
It is not available for individual sale.
+ SAVE TO MY LIBRARY

KEYWORDS
Beauveria bassiana
biological control
pesticide alternative
resistance management
RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS
Get copyright permission
Back to Top