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<p>Whiteflies are major sap<b>-</b>sucking pests causing significant economic losses worldwide. Excessive reliance on chemical insecticides has resulted in resistance development and adverse effects on non-target organisms as well as on environment. Entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) represent promising ecofriendly alternatives for sustainable pest management. In the present study, an EPF associated with natural epizootics of whitefly (<i>Bemisia tabaci</i>) infesting eggplant was characterized and evaluated under in-vitro conditions for its biocontrol potential. Morphological and molecular studies revealed that, the fungus isolated from infected whitefly is <i>Isaria farinosa.</i> Further, in vitro bioassays confirmed significant insecticidal activity, with 62.28–82.06% adult whitefly mortality after 96&#xa0;h after treatment at different conidial concentrations. EPF, <i>I. farinosa</i> was found compatible with several insecticides, including cyantraniliprole, sulfoxaflor, flupyridifurone, flonicamid, spiromesifen, difenthiuron, imidacloprid, thiamethoxam, and acetamiprid, used for control of <i>B. tabaci</i>. To explore the molecular basis of pathogenicity, a subtilisin-like protease (Pr1A) associated with cuticle degradation was identified through in silico analysis. The Pr1A sequence was analyzed and its 3D structure was predicted. Protein–protein docking analysis revealed strong interaction between Pr1A and the ecdysone receptor (EcR) of <i>B. tabaci</i> (ΔG = − 11.2&#xa0;kcal/mol), suggesting possible interference with insect hormonal regulation. Additionally, molecular docking of the fungal metabolite Beauvericin with EcR showed higher binding affinity (− 14.88&#xa0;kcal/mol) than standard insecticides, indicating its potential role in insecticidal activity. Overall, the findings demonstrate that <i>I. farinosa</i> is an effective biocontrol agent with strong bio-efficacy, compatible with chemical insecticides, and has potential for integration into IPM programs for sustainable management of whiteflies in vegetable crops.</p>

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Sustainable management of whitefly (Bemisia tabaci) in vegetables using entomopathogenic fungi, Isaria farinosa: Characterization, efficacy, insecticide compatibility with molecular docking insights

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年6月23日

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  • M. Manjunath,
  • M. H. Kodandaram,
  • Pratap A. Divekar,
  • Vinita Gouri,
  • Suhas G. Karkute,
  • V. Venkataravanappa,
  • A. B. Rai

摘要

Whiteflies are major sap-sucking pests causing significant economic losses worldwide. Excessive reliance on chemical insecticides has resulted in resistance development and adverse effects on non-target organisms as well as on environment. Entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) represent promising ecofriendly alternatives for sustainable pest management. In the present study, an EPF associated with natural epizootics of whitefly (Bemisia tabaci) infesting eggplant was characterized and evaluated under in-vitro conditions for its biocontrol potential. Morphological and molecular studies revealed that, the fungus isolated from infected whitefly is Isaria farinosa. Further, in vitro bioassays confirmed significant insecticidal activity, with 62.28–82.06% adult whitefly mortality after 96 h after treatment at different conidial concentrations. EPF, I. farinosa was found compatible with several insecticides, including cyantraniliprole, sulfoxaflor, flupyridifurone, flonicamid, spiromesifen, difenthiuron, imidacloprid, thiamethoxam, and acetamiprid, used for control of B. tabaci. To explore the molecular basis of pathogenicity, a subtilisin-like protease (Pr1A) associated with cuticle degradation was identified through in silico analysis. The Pr1A sequence was analyzed and its 3D structure was predicted. Protein–protein docking analysis revealed strong interaction between Pr1A and the ecdysone receptor (EcR) of B. tabaci (ΔG = − 11.2 kcal/mol), suggesting possible interference with insect hormonal regulation. Additionally, molecular docking of the fungal metabolite Beauvericin with EcR showed higher binding affinity (− 14.88 kcal/mol) than standard insecticides, indicating its potential role in insecticidal activity. Overall, the findings demonstrate that I. farinosa is an effective biocontrol agent with strong bio-efficacy, compatible with chemical insecticides, and has potential for integration into IPM programs for sustainable management of whiteflies in vegetable crops.