Cyclic synthetic peroxides inhibit growth of entomopathogenic fungus ascosphaera apis without toxic effect on bumblebees

Abstract

In recent years, the number of pollinators in the world has significantly decreased. A possible reason for this is the toxic effects of agrochemicals reducing the immunity of insects that leads to their increased susceptibility to pathogens. Ascosphaera apis is a dangerous entomopathogenic fungus, afflicting both honeybees and bumblebees. We investigated fungicide activity of cyclic synthetic peroxides against A. apis isolated from Bombus terrestris L. The peroxides exhibited high mycelium growth inhibition of A. apis up to 94–100% at concentration 30 mg/L. EC50 values were determined for the most active peroxides. Two peroxides showed higher antifungal activity against A. apis than the commercial fungicide Triadimefon. The studied peroxides did not reduce the ability of bumblebees to fly and did not lead to the death of bumblebees. A new field of application for peroxides was disclosed.