We studied the effect of the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana strain GHA on a) colony development of the beetles Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) and Ulomoides dermestoides (Fairmaire) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) under laboratory conditions; and 2) the volatile blend released by both beetles, containing defensive pheromones, by using the solid phase microextraction technique. Colony development of both species was strongly altered 3 mo after treatment with B. bassiana, showing a significant reduction in progeny of 37.5% for T. castaneum and 50.0% for U. dermestoides. We also showed that the volatiles released by T. castaneum diminished close to 20% compared with those of healthy beetles, whereas in U. dermestoides secretions dramatically dropped to 5%, 7 d after immersion in 1 × 109 conidia per ml. These results suggest that after infection events take place, fungus-induced diminished secretion of the defensive pheromones may be a physiologic clue for behavioral changes in infected beetles.
How to translate text using browser tools
1 August 2010
Beauveria bassiana Infection Alters Colony Development and Defensive Secretions of the Beetles Triboliumcastaneum and Ulomoides dermestoides (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae)
N. Pedrini,
M. L. Villaverde,
C. B. Fuse,
G. M. Dal Bello,
M. P. Juárez
ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE
It is not available for individual sale.
This article is only available to subscribers.
It is not available for individual sale.
It is not available for individual sale.
Journal of Economic Entomology
Vol. 103 • No. 4
August 2010
Vol. 103 • No. 4
August 2010
biological control
defensive pheromone
entomopathogenic fungi
solid phase microextraction
stored products pests