Biocontrol Potential of Local Entomopathogenic Fungi in Halyomorpha halys (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) Populations
10th International Entomopathogens and Microbial Comtrol Congress, Ankara, Türkiye, 27 - 29 Ekim 2026, ss.32, (Özet Bildiri)
- Yayın Türü: Bildiri / Özet Bildiri
- Basıldığı Şehir: Ankara
- Basıldığı Ülke: Türkiye
- Sayfa Sayıları: ss.32
- Karadeniz Teknik Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
In this study, we evaluated the biopesticide potential and horizontal transmission capabilities of indigenous entomopathogenic fungal (EPF) strains against Halyomorpha halys (Stål) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae). Laboratory bioassays revealed substantial virulence variability among the tested fungal isolates, with select indigenous strains demonstrating high mortality rates and low LD50 values against both nymphs and adults. Contact with funguscontaminated surfaces and food resulted in high infection levels, reaching over 90% mortality in adults and up to 80% in nymphs, demonstrating that conidia remained infective in the environment without direct application. Furthermore, horizontal transmission assays confirmed that fungal-inoculated donor individuals successfully transferred viable conidia to uninfected recipient bugs through natural aggregation and contact behaviors, leading to secondary mortality and prominent mycosis on carcasses. These findings demonstrate that local EPF strains possess not only potent virulence but also the ability to horizontally propagate within pest populations. Consequently, these indigenous fungal isolates hold great promise as effective biocontrol agents and selfdisseminating tools for integrated pest management (IPM) programs targeting H. halys in hazelnut orchards.
Keywords: Halyomorpha halys, Entomopathogenic fungi, Biological control, Virulence, Horizontal transmission, Hazelnut
Acknowlegment: This research was supported by The Karadeniz Technical University Research Foundation (Grant Number FBA-2025-16140).