Combined Impact of Beneficial Fungi and Bacteria on Western Flower Thrips

Greg Howard
9th August, 2024

Combined Impact of Beneficial Fungi and Bacteria on Western Flower Thrips

Image Source: Natural Science News, 2024

Key Findings

  • Researchers from Bilecik Seyh Edebali University studied the effectiveness of entomopathogenic microorganisms against western flower thrips (WFT) in Turkey
  • Certain combinations of these microorganisms were more effective at killing WFT than individual isolates
  • Using combined entomopathogenic microorganisms can improve pest control and reduce the likelihood of resistance development
The western flower thrips (WFT), Frankliniella occidentalis Pergande, is a significant pest affecting a variety of crops in both greenhouses and fields. Its wide range of host plants and rapid life cycle contribute to its capacity for causing extensive agricultural damage. Traditional chemical control methods are often insufficient due to the pest's resistance to insecticides. In light of this, researchers from Bilecik Seyh Edebali University have investigated the potential of using entomopathogenic microorganisms to control WFT populations effectively[1]. Entomopathogenic microorganisms are pathogens that specifically target and kill insects. The study evaluated the virulence of thirty local isolates of these microorganisms against WFT. The goal was to identify the most effective isolates and explore the potential benefits of their combined application for pest control. The researchers found that certain combinations of entomopathogenic microorganisms exhibited higher virulence against WFT than individual isolates. This finding aligns with earlier studies demonstrating the synergistic effects of combining different biological agents. For example, a study on Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) showed that combinations of its toxin genes (cryIVA and cryIVD) resulted in significantly higher larvicidal activity against mosquito larvae compared to individual genes[2]. Similarly, the current study suggests that combining different strains of entomopathogens could enhance their effectiveness against WFT. Moreover, the study's findings are consistent with previous research on the interactions between entomopathogenic fungi and insect-associated bacteria. For instance, a study on the Japanese pine sawyer beetle revealed that the presence of certain bacteria could inhibit the effectiveness of the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana[3]. This highlights the complexity of biological pest control and the importance of considering microbial interactions when developing integrated pest management strategies. Additionally, research on the gut bacteria of the invasive pest Tuta absoluta showed that specific strains of Bt were highly effective in controlling the pest due to their production of lepidopteran-toxic proteins[4]. This underscores the potential of using well-characterized entomopathogenic microorganisms in combination to target specific pests effectively. The Bilecik Seyh Edebali University study contributes to this body of knowledge by demonstrating that the combined use of local entomopathogen isolates can significantly improve control measures for WFT. The researchers tested various combinations of the isolates and identified those with the highest virulence. This approach not only enhances the efficacy of pest control but also reduces the likelihood of resistance development, as pests are less likely to develop resistance to multiple pathogens simultaneously. In conclusion, the study by Bilecik Seyh Edebali University provides valuable insights into the potential of using combined entomopathogenic microorganisms to control WFT populations. By leveraging the synergistic effects of different isolates, this approach offers a promising alternative to chemical insecticides, addressing the challenges posed by pest resistance and ensuring more sustainable agricultural practices.

AgricultureBiotechPlant Science

References

Main Study

1) Synergistic effect of Metarhizium flavoviride and Serratia marcescens on western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis Pergande (Thysanoptera: Thripidae)

Published 8th August, 2024

https://doi.org/10.1186/s41938-024-00815-2

Related Studies

2) Mosquito larvicidal activity of Escherichia coli with combinations of genes from Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. israelensis.

Journal: Journal of bacteriology, Issue: Vol 177, Issue 10, May 1995

3) Associated bacteria of a pine sawyer beetle confer resistance to entomopathogenic fungi via fungal growth inhibition.

https://doi.org/10.1186/s40793-022-00443-z

4) Isolation and identification of bacteria from the invasive pest Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) and evaluation of their biocontrol potential.

https://doi.org/10.1007/s10123-023-00418-1


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