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<p>Cereal leaf beetles (CLB) are among the most destructive pests of small grain cereals in Europe, with larval feeding causing significant yield losses. As restrictions on chemical insecticides intensify in the European Union, there is growing interest in sustainable, biologically based pest management strategies. This study investigated the diversity and pathogenicity of entomopathogenic fungi naturally associated with CLB populations in barley fields of southwestern Slovakia. A total of 3536 adult beetles were collected, from which 58 fungal isolates were obtained and identified using morphological and molecular methods. The fungal community was dominated by <i>Beauveria pseudobassiana</i> (58.6%) and <i>B. bassiana</i> (34.5%), while <i>Isaria fumosorosea</i> (5.2%) and <i>Metarhizium pemphigi</i> (1.7%) were less prevalent. Laboratory bioassays demonstrated that all tested isolates were pathogenic to CLB adults, with significant variation in virulence. The highest mortality and lowest LC<sub>50</sub> (0.72 × 10<sup>6</sup> spores/ml) were achieved by the <i>M. pemphigi</i> isolate, followed closely by the most virulent <i>B. bassiana</i> strains. Despite the high laboratory efficacy of <i>M. pemphigi</i>, it was rarely detected in field-collected beetles, suggesting ecological niche specialization rather than inherent differences in pathogenic potential. These findings underscore the importance of integrating both laboratory and ecological data when selecting fungal strains for biocontrol. While local isolates of <i>B. bassiana</i> and <i>M. pemphigi</i> show promise for augmentative biological control, their field-level impact will depend on overcoming barriers to establishment and persistence. This work advances our understanding of CLB-fungal interactions and supports the development of effective, sustainable, and environmentally sound pest management strategies.</p>

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Entomopathogenic fungi associated with cereal leaf beetles and their comparative pathogenicity in the laboratory: possible sustainable control approaches

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2025年11月17日

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  • Marek Barta,
  • Danail Takov,
  • Daniela Pilarska

摘要

Cereal leaf beetles (CLB) are among the most destructive pests of small grain cereals in Europe, with larval feeding causing significant yield losses. As restrictions on chemical insecticides intensify in the European Union, there is growing interest in sustainable, biologically based pest management strategies. This study investigated the diversity and pathogenicity of entomopathogenic fungi naturally associated with CLB populations in barley fields of southwestern Slovakia. A total of 3536 adult beetles were collected, from which 58 fungal isolates were obtained and identified using morphological and molecular methods. The fungal community was dominated by Beauveria pseudobassiana (58.6%) and B. bassiana (34.5%), while Isaria fumosorosea (5.2%) and Metarhizium pemphigi (1.7%) were less prevalent. Laboratory bioassays demonstrated that all tested isolates were pathogenic to CLB adults, with significant variation in virulence. The highest mortality and lowest LC50 (0.72 × 106 spores/ml) were achieved by the M. pemphigi isolate, followed closely by the most virulent B. bassiana strains. Despite the high laboratory efficacy of M. pemphigi, it was rarely detected in field-collected beetles, suggesting ecological niche specialization rather than inherent differences in pathogenic potential. These findings underscore the importance of integrating both laboratory and ecological data when selecting fungal strains for biocontrol. While local isolates of B. bassiana and M. pemphigi show promise for augmentative biological control, their field-level impact will depend on overcoming barriers to establishment and persistence. This work advances our understanding of CLB-fungal interactions and supports the development of effective, sustainable, and environmentally sound pest management strategies.