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Studying a Fungus That Targets and Controls Mealybugs
Greg Howard
3rd July, 2024
![Studying a Fungus That Targets and Controls Mealybugs](https://static.naturalsciencenews.com/images/articles/4718_main.jpg)
Image Source: Natural Science News, 2024
Key Findings
- Researchers in China isolated a fungus, Aspergillus parasiticus ZHKUAP1, from the Egyptian mealybug on the parasol leaf tree
- The fungus was highly effective in killing the mealybugs in lab tests, showing significant mortality rates
- Field trials confirmed that A. parasiticus ZHKUAP1 effectively reduced the mealybug population, offering a promising biocontrol method
References
Main Study
1) Isolation, identification, biological characteristics, and pathogenicity of an entomogenous fungus against the Egyptian mealybug, Icerya aegyptiaca (J.) (Hemiptera: Monophlebidae)
Published 2nd July, 2024
https://doi.org/10.1186/s41938-024-00802-7
Related Studies
2) Characterization and biocontrol potential of a naturally occurring isolate of Metarhizium pingshaense infecting Conogethes punctiferalis.
3) The synergistic effects of rosehip oil and matrine against Icerya aegyptiaca (Douglas) (Hemiptera: Coccoidea) and the underlying mechanisms.