Work

Behavioral Suppression and Rapid Lethality: Beauveria bassiana B4 Targets Adult Monochamus alternatus for Sustainable Management of Pine Wilt Disease

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Pine wilt disease, transmitted primarily by Monochamus alternatus (Hope, 1842) adults, causes severe ecological and economic losses globally. Conventional chemical controls face challenges of resistance and non-target toxicity. This study identified Beauveria bassiana (Bals.-Criv.) Vuill. strain B4 as a high-virulence biocontrol agent against adult M. alternatus. Laboratory bioassays compared four strains (B1–B4), with B4 exhibiting rapid lethality (LT50 = 6.61 days at 1 × 108 spores/mL) and low median lethal concentration (LC50 = 9.63 × 105 spores/mL). Critically, B4 infection induced significant behavioral suppression, including reduced appetite and mobility prior to death. In forest trials, pheromone-enhanced nonwoven fabric bags impregnated with B4 spores reduced trap catches by 66.4% within one month, with effects persisting for over a year without reapplication. The slow-release carrier system enabled continuous spore dissemination and sustained population suppression. These results demonstrate that B4’s dual action—rapid lethality and behavioral disruption—provides an effective, eco-friendly strategy for sustainable pine wilt disease management.

Source: Insects

DOI: 10.3390/insects16101045