Entomopathogenic fungi and their biological control of Tetranychus urticae: Two-spotted spider mites

Jawaher Khamis Al-Zahrani; Amira Hassan Al-Abdalall; Mohamed Aly Osman; Lena A. Aldakheel; Nada Faisal AlAhmady; Sumayh A. Aldakeel; Sayed AbdulAzeez; J. Francis Borgio; Medhat A. ElNaggar; Nadiyah M. Alabdallah; Mona M. Almustafa

Journal of King Saud University: Science (Nov 2023)

Entomopathogenic fungi and their biological control of Tetranychus urticae: Two-spotted spider mites

Jawaher Khamis Al-Zahrani,
Amira Hassan Al-Abdalall,
Mohamed Aly Osman,
Lena A. Aldakheel,
Nada Faisal AlAhmady,
Sumayh A. Aldakeel,
Sayed AbdulAzeez,
J. Francis Borgio,
Medhat A. ElNaggar,
Nadiyah M. Alabdallah,
Mona M. Almustafa

Affiliations

Jawaher Khamis Al-Zahrani: Department of Biology, College of Science, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, P.O. Box 1982, 31441, Dammam, Saudi Arabia; Basic and Applied Scientific Research Centre, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, P.O. Box 1982, 31441, Dammam, Saudi Arabia
Amira Hassan Al-Abdalall: Department of Biology, College of Science, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, P.O. Box 1982, 31441, Dammam, Saudi Arabia; Basic and Applied Scientific Research Centre, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, P.O. Box 1982, 31441, Dammam, Saudi Arabia
Mohamed Aly Osman: Department of Biology, College of Science, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, P.O. Box 1982, 31441, Dammam, Saudi Arabia; Basic and Applied Scientific Research Centre, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, P.O. Box 1982, 31441, Dammam, Saudi Arabia
Lena A. Aldakheel: NEOM Community 1, Building 4758, Postal Code: 49643, Gayal, Saudi Arabia
Nada Faisal AlAhmady: Department of Biology, College of Science, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, P.O. Box 1982, 31441, Dammam, Saudi Arabia; Basic and Applied Scientific Research Centre, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, P.O. Box 1982, 31441, Dammam, Saudi Arabia
Sumayh A. Aldakeel: Life Science and Environment Research Institute, King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology, P.O. Box 6086, Riyadh 11461, Saudi Arabia
Sayed AbdulAzeez: Department of Genetic Research, Department of Epidemic Diseases Research, Institute for Research and Medical Consultation (IRMC), Saudi Arabia
J. Francis Borgio: Department of Genetic Research, Department of Epidemic Diseases Research, Institute for Research and Medical Consultation (IRMC), Saudi Arabia
Medhat A. ElNaggar: Research Central Lab. Saudi Grains Organization, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Nadiyah M. Alabdallah: Department of Biology, College of Science, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, P.O. Box 1982, 31441, Dammam, Saudi Arabia; Basic and Applied Scientific Research Centre, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, P.O. Box 1982, 31441, Dammam, Saudi Arabia; Corresponding author at: Department of Biology, College of Science, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia.
Mona M. Almustafa: Department of Biology, College of Science, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, P.O. Box 1982, 31441, Dammam, Saudi Arabia; Basic and Applied Scientific Research Centre, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, P.O. Box 1982, 31441, Dammam, Saudi Arabia

Journal volume & issue: Vol. 35, no. 8
p. 102910

Abstract

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The two-spotted spider mite (TSSM) Tetranychus urticae, is regarded as one of the most dangerous pests responsible for great losses in most of agricultural crops. It is a persistent pest in Saudi Arabia, especially in greenhouses where T. urticae is primarily controlled by chemical pesticides. The main problem for the two-spotted spider mites is its high resistance to pesticides and high fertility rate. In the long term, chemical pesticides cause health problems and economic losses, so it was necessary to search for a safe alternative method for human health and the environment. One of these alternative methods was the selection of plant varieties resistant to the TSSM, in addition to biological control that includes mites or predatory insects and entomopathogenic fungi. The growth, reproduction, and life-table parameters of T. urticae were examined in a laboratory setting with a 16L:8D photoperiod at 28 ± 1 °C and 65 ± 5% RH, in the presence of three major members of Family: Solanaceae tomato, eggplant, and pepper. Pepper was shown to be less conducive to T. urticae growth and reproduction compared to eggplant and tomato. Tetranychus urticae proceeded through all five stages of its life cycle (egg, larva, protonymph, deutonymph, and adult) on tested solanaceous plants, and these plants significantly influenced its growth, reproduction, and Life-table parameters. Additionally, entomopathogenic fungi have been used against insects that have proven highly effective in controlling and reducing the density of two-spotted spider mites. Eight fungi were isolated from 80 insect and mite samples collected from several Saudi Arabia regions. Analysis of the 18S rRNA sequences revealed that the fungal strains identified as Beauveria bassiana, Fusarium sp. F. equiseti, F. oxysporium, Scopulariopsis brevicaulis1, S. brevicaulis2, Aspergillus sclerotiorum, and Penicillium citrinum. The ability of isolated fungi to secrete enzymes degrading the two-spotted spider mite cuticle, namely lipase, protease, and chitinase, were studied.

Published in Journal of King Saud University: Science

ISSN: 1018-3647 (Print)
Publisher: Elsevier
Country of publisher: Saudi Arabia
LCC subjects: Science: Science (General)
Website: http://www.journals.elsevier.com/journal-of-king-saud-university-science/

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