Abstract
Blattella germanica Linnaeus (Dictyoptera: Blattellidae) is a household pest that transmits pathogens to humans. Aspergillus terreus Thom (Eurotiales: Trichocomaceae) is an entomopathogenic fungi potentially useful in biological control. The present paper evaluates the susceptibility of nymphs and adults of B. germanica to A. terreus. Two concentrations of fungi spores (1 × 106 and 1 × 108 spores/mL) were administered to cockroaches through different routes (ingestion, direct contact and bait) and mortality was monitored for 15 days. Ingestion of A. terreus spores at concentration 1 × 106 spores/mL showed mortalities of 16.67% on nymphs and 71.48% on adults. With the higher concentration, mortality reached 37.78% on nymphs and 82.22% on adults. Treatment by direct contact with 1 × 106 spores/mL resulted in mortalities of 27.41% and 71.48% on nymphs and adults, respectively, whereas the infestation with 1 × 108 spores/ml yielded greater mortality rates (38.15% in nymphs and 92.96% in adults). Baits had insignificant effects on B. germanica. In conclusion, our study showed the existence of a lethal effect of A. terreus spores on B. germanica and that the observed effect varies depending on the insect developmental stage, the administered concentration, and the mode of contamination, with a maximum effect recorded in adults infested with 1 × 108 spores/mL via direct contact.
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The data and material that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author DJOUHRI Y., upon reasonable request.
Change history
26 February 2022
A Correction to this paper has been published: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13355-022-00776-8
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Acknowledgements
The authors wish to express their thanks and gratitude to Pr. Kellou Dahbia (Mycology laboratory, IPA Algiers) for welcoming them and providing them the necessary equipments and for her cooperation throughout the research period.
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This study was supported by the general directorate for Scientific Research and Development Algiers, Algeria, DGRSDT.
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Yamina Djouhri contributed to material preparation, statistic data acquisition, analysis and interpretation, and article drafting and finalization. Mahdia Saidi was involved in conceptualization, supervision, and final approval. Amina Benelmlouffok contributed to technical supervision (Mycology) and identification of fungi. Mohamed Nadji Bouchtout was involved in statistics, manuscript, and English revision.
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The conduct of this study was approved by the local ethics committee of the University of Sciences and Technology Houari Boumediene.
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The original online version of this article was revised as the values of “α β γ δ” were placed incorrectly in tables 1, 2 and corrected in this version.
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Djouhri, Y., Saidi-Touati, M., Benelmouffok, A. et al. Susceptibility of nymphs and adults of Blattella germanica (Dictyoptera: Blattellidae) to Aspergillus terreus (Eurotiales: Trichocomaceae) infested via oral ingestion, contact, and bait methods: a comparative study. Appl Entomol Zool 57, 137–145 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13355-022-00770-0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13355-022-00770-0