A novel entomopathogenic fungus from Cydalima perspectalis: pathogenic effects of Penicillium glabrum under laboratory conditions
摘要
Cydalima perspectalis (box tree moth) is an invasive pest causing significant damage to boxwood plants. The quest for alternative biological control agents has prompted the isolation and study of entomopathogenic fungi possessing insecticidal properties. This study reports, for the first time, the isolation and identification of Penicillium glabrum from C. perspectalis larvae and evaluates its pathogenic potential under laboratory conditions. Pathogenicity tests were conducted by exposing larvae to spore suspensions of P. glabrum at varying concentrations (1 × 105–1 × 109 spores/ml) using a spraying method. Each test group consisted of 10 larvae maintained in sterile containers with fresh boxwood leaves. Control groups were treated with 0.01% Tween 80 solution. Mortality was recorded on the 5th, 10th, and 15th days post-application. The experiments were repeated five times. Larval mortality increased significantly with rising spore concentrations (p < 0.05). At a concentration of 1 × 109 spores/ml, CPF (the fungal formulation) caused 90% mortality by day 10. The onset of mortality began at 10 days post-infection. The median lethal concentration (LC50) was calculated to be 1.2 × 105 spores/ml. The results demonstrate the potent entomopathogenic activity of P. glabrum against C. perspectalis larvae, suggesting its potential as a biological control agent. This study presents the first evidence of the insecticidal effect of P. glabrum on this invasive pest based on existing data in the literature and our knowledge and points to the need for a more comprehensive evaluation of this effect under field conditions.