Lecanicillium lecanii and Beauveria bassiana are important entomopathogens of Aphis gossypii. Their
capacity to colonize crop plants is also becoming widely recognized. Their presence in crop plants
indicates the possibility of a much greater potential for contact between insect and fungus than previously
recognized. The present experiment aimed to study the effects of endophytic strains of these fungi
on the survival, and reproduction of A. gossypii. Contact with conidia of both fungi significantly reduced
the rate and period of reproduction of A. gossypii. The culture filtrates of L. lecanii and B. bassiana
significantly increased mortality and feeding-choice experiments indicate that insects may be able to
detect metabolites of the fungi. The culture filtrate of L. lecanii also significantly reduced the reproduction
of the aphid. The ethyl acetate and methanolic fractions of the culture filtrate and of mycelia of L. lecanii
also caused significant mortality and reduced fecundity of A. gossypii. The methanolic fractions of mycelia
of B. bassiana caused significant mortality of A. gossypii. The present investigations indicated that
A. gossypii is affected by contact with both conidia and fungal metabolites. This broad influence indicates
that these fungi may have a role in regulating insect pest populations.
2010 Elsevier