Molecular identification of two entomopathogenic fungus Clonostachys rosea strains and their efficacy against two aphid species in Iraq

BACKGROUND: The green peach aphid, Myzus persicae Sulzer, and the bean aphid, Aphis fabae Scopoli (both Hemiptera: Aphididae), are serious pests of greenhouse vegetable crops in Iraq and other regions of the globe. In this study, two morphological identical isolates (AA80 and AA82) of the entomopathogenic fungus Clonostachys rosea Schroers (Hypocreales: Bionectriaceae) from Iraq were isolated and characterized with phylogenetic analysis based on the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region. The efficacy of C. rosea against M. persicae and A. fabae was previously unknown. RESULTS: In the laboratory bioassays, mortality of adult M. persicae and A. fabae caused by both C. rosea isolates varied according to conidial concentrations, with complete mortality occurring at 1 × 10(9) conidia ml(−1) 10 day post treatment. For M. persicae, LC(50) values of AA80 and AA80 isolates were 3.6 × 10(6) and 3.8 × 10(6) conidia ml(−1). For A. fabae, LC(50) values of AA80 and AA80 isolates were 4.5 × 10(6) and 4.35 × 10(6) conidia ml(−1). Infection by both fungal isolates at LC(50) values reduced total fecundity of the treated aphids by 20% when compared to the untreated aphids. CONCLUSIONS: The results from laboratory bioassays showed that C. rosea has potential as a biological control agent of M. persicae and A. fabae which is crucial for ecofriendly biopesticide development. However, further field and greenhouse studies are required for mass production.