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Isolation of Beauveria species from Lebanon and evaluation of its efficacy against the cedar web-spinning sawfly, Cephalcia tannourinensis

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Abstract

Larvae of the cedar web-spinning sawfly, Cephalcia tannourinensis Chevin (Hymenoptera: Pamphiliidae), infected with a white fungus were collected from the Tannourine-Hadath El-Jebbeh cedar forest. Macro- and micro-morphological data based on the examination of colonies, conidiophores, and conidial shape of the fungus suggested a Beauveria species. Sequence analysis of the internal transcribed spacer regions of the isolated fungus showed that it is most closely related to isolates of B. bassiana Clade C. The present study showed that the isolated B. bassiana is a naturally occurring entomopathogenic fungus parasitizing the larvae of C. tannourinensis in Lebanon. Laboratory bioassays showed that B. bassiana caused high mortality of eggs and larvae. The infected eggs turned brownish in color, while larvae of the first instar ceased feeding and showed immobility and rigidity within 5 days and before sporulating conidial mat appeared on their cuticle. Second and third larval instars took longer time to show fungal sporulation: mortalities ranged between 85 and 100% within 7 days when treated with different conidial concentrations. The efficacy of control of C. tannourinensis using B. bassiana was higher or equal to the reference insect growth regulator, diflubenzuron, suggesting the possibility of its success as a biological control agent.

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Acknowledgments

The authors acknowledge Ms Gillian Allard, Forestry Officer at the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations for her initial identification of Beauveria and supplying all relevant information to initiate the study. Cultures of strains of Beauveria for molecular analysis were obtained from the USDA-ARS Collection of Entomopathogenic Fungal Cultures (ARSEF, Ithaca, NY, USA); with thanks to Dr Richard A. Humber, curator, and Karen S. Hansen, Biological Technician. Part of this work was partially funded by the Lebanese National Council for Scientific Research. The technical assistance of Ms Maya Nehmé, Ms Hana Sobh, Ms Lucy Hanna, and Mr Shoaa El Mehtar is appreciated.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Plant Sciences, Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences, American University of Beirut, P.O. Box 11-0236, Riad El Solh, 1107 2020, Beirut, Lebanon

    Carla Abdo, Nabil Nemer, Yusuf Abou Jawdah, Hagop Atamian & Nasri S. Kawar

  2. Department of Biochemistry, American University of Beirut, P.O. Box 11-0236, Riad El Solh, 1107 2020, Beirut, Lebanon

    Georges Nemer

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  1. Carla Abdo
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  2. Nabil Nemer
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  3. Georges Nemer
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  4. Yusuf Abou Jawdah
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  5. Hagop Atamian
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  6. Nasri S. Kawar
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Correspondence to Nasri S. Kawar.

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Abdo, C., Nemer, N., Nemer, G. et al. Isolation of Beauveria species from Lebanon and evaluation of its efficacy against the cedar web-spinning sawfly, Cephalcia tannourinensis . BioControl 53, 341–352 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10526-006-9062-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10526-006-9062-0

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