Pathogenicity and growth temperature of three isolates of entomopathogenic fungi isolated from the Asian citrus psyllid, diaphorina citri (Hemiptera: Liviidae), Found in Amami and Okinawa, Japan

Abstract

Two isolates of Beauveria bassianaBalsamo-Crivelli Vuillemin and one isolate of Isaria fumosorosea Wize were isolated from Diaphorina citri KuwayamaHemiptera: Liviidae, a vector of huanglongbingcitrus greening disease. The ability of these isolates to kill D. citri, two Cacopsylla speciesHemiptera: Psyllidae, and the brown citrus aphid, Toxoptera citricidaKirkaldy, and the effect of temperature in vitro on their growth were investigated. Infection with all three isolates resulted in high mortality for D. citri. In the Cacopsylla spp. and T. citricida, some isolates caused consistent mortality, but this varied among isolates. Mycelial growth of the three isolates was vigorous at 20-30°C. The two isolates of B. bassiana grew well at 25°C, while the I. fumosorosea isolate grew well at 25-30°C, indicating that the optimal growth temperature varied among the isolates.