African Journal of Agricultural Research, Vol. 5(4) pp. 290-293, 18 February, 2010 Available online at http://www.academicjournals.org/AJAR DOI: 10.5897/AJAR09.

279 ISSN 1991-637X 2010 Academic Journals

Full Length Research Paper

First report of aphidopathogenic fungi Fusarium semitectum (Berkeley and Ravenel, 1875) and Fusarium sacchari (Butler and Hafiz Khan) Gams (1971) on Capitophorus elaeagni (Del Guercio) (Hemiptera: Aphididae)
Guesmi Jouda, Ben Halima Kamel Monia and Boughalleb Naima
UR High Institute of Agronomy, Chott Mariem, 4042, Souse, Tunisia.
Accepted 21 January, 2010

During the autumn of 2007, some mycosis symptoms have been observed on the different biological stages of development of Capitophorus elaeagni (Del Guercio) prospected in many regions of production of artichoke in Tunisia. Fungi isolation was conducted from aphids cadavers. It revealed the presence of cream-coloured mycelia colonies. Morphologic identification, based on the development of these colonies on specific media, showed typical characteristics of Fusarium genus. Indeed, tow species were identified, Fusarium sacchari and Fusarium semitectum. In vitro pathogenicity assays demonstrated the aphidopathogenic properties of this tow species on C. elaeagni which are reported for the first time. Key words: Artichoke, Capitophorus elaeagni, entomopathogenic fungi, Fusarium semitectum, Fusarium sacchari. INTRODUCTION Approximately 750 fungi species are described as obligatory or facultative pathogens on one or several stages of insects development in aquatic, terrestrial or underground habitats (McCoy et al., 1988). In fact, Remaudiere et al. (1981) reported that in natural conditions, aphids colonies are frequently threatened by entomopathogenic fungi infection and it could be the first reason of mortality of these pests. Moreover, fungal infection appearance could be favorited by autumnal climatic conditions knowing that entomopathogenic fungus requires high humidity and temperature to achieve their biological cycle (Latge and Papierok, 1988). Besides, winds and rains could lead to the dissemination of the epizooties (Nanne and Radcliffe, 1971). In Tunisia, some mycosis symptoms were detected on Capitophorus elaeagni (Del Guercio, 1894) (Hemiptera, Aphididae), during the autumn of 2007, in many areas of artichoke production which are disturbed in the north (Bizerte) and in the center (Sousse). These mycosis symptoms appeared at different stages of development of C. elaeagni such as the larva, the nymphs and on the apteral and winged adults (Figure 1). Infected aphids showed different colors; the living ones presented an orange brightness coloration (Figure 3a) or can have orange, brunette or brown dulls (Figure 3b), whereas the dead aphids were orange clear, dark orange or brown (Figure 3c). Besides, these cadavers can present on their teguments a white (Figure 3d), brown (Figure 3e) or pink (Figure 3f) mycelium. In the same way, the winged morphs can also present a white mycelium (Figure 3g), but on the wings, the hyphal mycelium are think and shining (Figure 3h). Fungal isolation from aphids cadavers showed the presence of cream-colored mycelia colonies (Figure 2). Microscopic identification revealed the characteristic conidia of two Fusarium species. The first specie is Fusarium semitectum (Berkeley and

*Corresponding author. E-mail: kamonia_tn@yahoo.fr. Tel: 0021673327546. Fax: 0021673327591.

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Figure. 1. C. elaeagni infected on leaves.

Figure 2. Mycelial colony of Fusarium.

Ravenel, 1875) characterized by the presence of macroconida with 3 to 5 septa and measure 20 - 46 3 5.5 m (Figures 4a and b), mesoconidia and polyphialids (Figures 4c and d). The second one is Fusarium sacchari (Butler and Hafiz Khan) Gams (1971) characterized pro-

ducing microconidia (2.5 5 - 7 m), mesoconidia (2.5 10 - 12 m) (Figure 4e) and macroconidia (3 35 m) with 3 septa (Figures 4f and 5). In vitro pathogenicity tests of the tow species of Fusarium was conducted by inoculating unscathed

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Figure 3. Symptomatology of Fusarium on C. elaeagni naturally mycosed.

Figure. 4. Microscopic observation of F. semitectum and F. Sacchari.

individuals with conidial suspension of the fungi with a concentration of 106 conidia/ml compared with controls inoculated by distilled water. For both treatments, the

inoculation trial was repeated five times. Inoculated aphids were killed and their cadavers developed fan-like mycelial growth, within 36 to 72 h (Figure 4f).

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Figure 5. Symptomatology of mycoses of Fusarium on C. elaeagni (in vitro treatment).

Thus, we could characterize two species of entomopathogenic fungi on C. elaeagni: F. sacchari and F. semitectum reported for the first time in this aphid. However, it is interesting to note that the last species has also been treated like entomopathogenic fungi by other authors. Up to now, it has been reported as pathogenic agent on Aphis gossypii Glover (Hemiptera, Aphididae) (Mikuntham and Manjunatha, 2005). This fungus has also been identified on thrips Scirtothrips dorsalis (Thysanoptera, Thripidae) (Parker et al., 1996). In this sense, Gupta et al. (1991) isolated, from F. semitectum a toxic substance to the insects called beauvaricine. However, the entomopathogenicity of F. sacchari has never been reported as pathogenic agent to the aphids. Thus, we reported, for the first time, the aphidopathogenic properties of F. sacchari and F. semitectum on C. elaeagni. Further surveys will be considered to investigate the possibility of the use of these fungal species as biological agents in an integrated pest management program against the aphids of the artichoke.

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