| Summary: SUMMARY
Isolation and characterization of entomopathogenic fungi from Dendroctonus micans and investigation their microbial control potential Picea orientalis (Oriental spruce) is one of the most common trees in Eastern Black Sea Forests. Dendroctonus micans is also the most common bark beetle that attacks healthy trees in the oriental spruce forests. Despite the chemical, mechanical and biological methods, the damage of D. micans in the oriental spruce forets is still continues effectively.
In this study, in order to determine an effective fungal agent against D. micans; variety natural fungus strains were isolated from larval and adult stages of the pest, and morphological (infection mode, colony morphology, shape of spore) and molecular characterisations of these isolates (ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 gene sequences) were performed. Twelve fungal strains were isolated from pest and these were identified as Lecanicillium muscarium (Petch) Zare and Gams (ARSEF 9276 and ARSEF 9268), Isaria farinosa (Holmsk) Fr. (ARSEF 9269, ARSEF 9270, ARSEF 9275, ARSEF 9276, ARSEF 9277 and ARSEF 9278), Fusarium sp. (ARSEF 9273 and ARSEF 9274), Beauveria bassiana Sensu Lato (ARSEF 9271) and Beauveria sp. (ARSEF 9272). Among these isolates, L. muscarium, I. farinosa and Fusarium sp. were isolated for the first time from D. micans. In addition, virulence of these isolates against this pest was determined. Spore suspensions of 1 X 106 conidia mL-1 were applied to both larvae and adults. The highest mortality and mycosis for larvae were obtained from isolate ARSEF 9271 (Beauveria bassiana) with 90% mortality and mycosis within 10 days. ARSEF 9271 also produced 93% mortality and mycosis on adults. On the other hand, the highest mortality and mycosis for adults were obtained with isolate ARSEF 9272 (Beauveria sp.), with 100% mortality and 80% mycosis within 10 days. These results indicate that isolates ARSEF 9271 and ARSEF 9272 seem to be the most promising potential fungal biocontrol agents against D. micans.
Key Words: Picea orientalis, Dendroctonus micans, microbial conrtol, entomopathogenik fungi. |
