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<p>Biological control has emerged as a promising alternative to chemical pesticides in pest management, with entomopathogenic fungi offering effective control of a wide range of insect pests. This study represents the first investigation in Tunisia evaluating the pathogenicity of five local isolated entomopathogenic fungi genera <i>Metarhizium</i> spp., <i>Paecilomyces</i> spp., <i>Lecanicillium</i> spp., <i>Trichoderma</i> spp., and <i>Talaromyces</i> spp in controlling <i>Dactylopius opuntiae</i>, a major cactus pest in the country, under Laboratory and field conditions. The experiment was conducted in Ain El Batria (Zaghouan Governorate, Tunisia) using one concentration (10⁷ conidia/mL). Under Laboratory conditions, the suspensions were applied via spray, with two treatment applications separated by a 7-day interval. Cumulative mortality was assessed every 24&#xa0;h. Median lethal time (LT<sub>50</sub>) of tested entompathogenic fungi varied between 7.48 and 11.19 days for <i>Trichoderma</i> spp. and <i>Talaromyces</i> spp., respectively. Under natural conditions, treatments were applied three times, at one-week intervals, with measurements taken at 24, 72, and 168&#xa0;h after each application. Based on mean cumulative mortality, a relative performance ranking was observed as follows: <i>Talaromyces</i> spp. (27.73%) &gt; <i>Metarhizium</i> spp. (14.57%) &gt; <i>Paecilomyces</i> spp. (9.19%) &gt; <i>Lecanicillium</i> spp. (16.73%) &gt; <i>Trichoderma</i> spp. (6.49%). These differences should be interpreted with caution in the absence of LT₅₀ or LC₅₀ estimates. Following these results, molecular identification of the most effective fungal culture confirmed its taxonomic identity as <i>Talaromyces pinophilus.</i> These results position <i>T. pinophilus</i> as a promising biopesticide candidate for the sustainable biological control of <i>D. opuntiae</i>. Further research is required to develop effective bioformulations and improve its stability, persistence, and delivery under field conditions.</p>

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Assessment of entomopathogenic fungi as a sustainable biocontrol strategy against Dactylopius opuntiae under controlled and natural conditions

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年5月13日

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  • Rym Jaouadi,
  • Lobna Hajji-Hedfi,
  • Takwa Wannassi,
  • Mohamed Elimem,
  • Haythem Daoudi,
  • Amira Messai,
  • Rym Ben Salem,
  • Slim Rouz

摘要

Biological control has emerged as a promising alternative to chemical pesticides in pest management, with entomopathogenic fungi offering effective control of a wide range of insect pests. This study represents the first investigation in Tunisia evaluating the pathogenicity of five local isolated entomopathogenic fungi genera Metarhizium spp., Paecilomyces spp., Lecanicillium spp., Trichoderma spp., and Talaromyces spp in controlling Dactylopius opuntiae, a major cactus pest in the country, under Laboratory and field conditions. The experiment was conducted in Ain El Batria (Zaghouan Governorate, Tunisia) using one concentration (10⁷ conidia/mL). Under Laboratory conditions, the suspensions were applied via spray, with two treatment applications separated by a 7-day interval. Cumulative mortality was assessed every 24 h. Median lethal time (LT50) of tested entompathogenic fungi varied between 7.48 and 11.19 days for Trichoderma spp. and Talaromyces spp., respectively. Under natural conditions, treatments were applied three times, at one-week intervals, with measurements taken at 24, 72, and 168 h after each application. Based on mean cumulative mortality, a relative performance ranking was observed as follows: Talaromyces spp. (27.73%) > Metarhizium spp. (14.57%) > Paecilomyces spp. (9.19%) > Lecanicillium spp. (16.73%) > Trichoderma spp. (6.49%). These differences should be interpreted with caution in the absence of LT₅₀ or LC₅₀ estimates. Following these results, molecular identification of the most effective fungal culture confirmed its taxonomic identity as Talaromyces pinophilus. These results position T. pinophilus as a promising biopesticide candidate for the sustainable biological control of D. opuntiae. Further research is required to develop effective bioformulations and improve its stability, persistence, and delivery under field conditions.