Drosophila suzukii is an invasive pest of berries and other soft-skinned fruits, was first detected in Chile in 2017, and has since spread over 2,800 km from north to south. Sustainable control of the spotted-wing drosophila (SWD) is essential due the negative attitude of the consumers toward the excessive use of insecticides. During a survey in Chile for biological control agents, thirty-two isolates of entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) were isolated from mycotized insects and soil samples, identified through sequence analysis, and tested against D. suzukii adults under laboratory conditions. The EPF identified are Akanthomyces muscarius, Beauveria bassiana, Beauveria pseudobassiana, Clonostachys rosea, Metarhizium alvesii, Metarhizium brunneum and Metarhizium robertsii. Six isolates caused 100 % of mortality of D. suzukii adults within ten days after the initial exposition to conidia; these included four B. bassiana isolates (LSB 110, LSB 114, LSB 122 and LSB 125), one M. robertsii isolate (LSB 115) and one M. brunneum isolate (LSB 127). LSB 122 and LSB 125 induced the shortest lethal time (LT50 4 and 4.2 days, respectively), while Akanthomyces and Clonostachys caused ≤ 36 % cumulative mortality of the adults at 10 days of exposure. These results indicate that isolates of B. bassiana, M. robertsii and M. brunneum have significant potential as microbial control agents against D. suzukii adults. This study marks a critical step forward in identifying and validating native entomopathogenic fungi in Chile for sustainable pest management. Future work will focus on further testing these isolates under laboratory, semi-field and field conditions to optimize their application in real-world agricultural settings.

Photo-selective nets (PSN) are used to manipulate the physiology of fruit crops. Besides their advantages to the crop, PSN potentially affect insect pests and their natural enemies. We aimed to assess the effects of these production systems on the searching behavior of the codling moth parasitoid, Mastrus ridens. We hypothesized that PSN and black standard nets (SN) affect the behavior of the parasitoid by delaying host localization and reducing parasitism. Laboratory experiments were carried out in closed cages under four treatment conditions: black SN, pearl PSN, red PSN, and no PSN as control (uncovered cages). Our results showed that the host localization of M. ridens was delayed under black SN and enhanced by pearl and red PSN. The PSN and the black SN did not affect the parasitism levels. In addition, the initial behavior of the parasitoid during the first 30 min of the bioassays was not affected by treatments. However, females spent most of the time walking around the arena, grooming, or resting, regardless of the color of the net. Parasitism was not affected under the PSN or the black SN; however, this must be verified in field conditions.

Background Enterohepatic species of the genus Helicobacter (EHH) are emerging pathogens that have been associated with gastrointestinal and hepatobiliary diseases in humans. However, studies on their pathogenicity are scarce. Galleria mellonella is a recently proposed model for the study of virulence in different pathogens, such as Campylobacter spp. and Helicobacter pylori. Despite this, its usefulness in EHH has not yet been evaluated. Therefore, we determined the pathogenic potential of different EHH species isolated from dogs in this infection model. Materials and Methods Four species of EHH (H. bilis, H. canicola, H. canis, and 'H. winghamensis') isolated from fecal samples from domestic dogs were evaluated. Three strains of each species were inoculated in cohorts of G. mellonella at a concentration of 1 x 10(7) CFU/mL. Survival curves were determined by the Kaplan-Meier method. In addition, the quantification of melanin, bacterial load in hemolymph, and histopathology were evaluated daily post-infection (pi). Results G. mellonella larvae are susceptible to EHH infection, exhibiting intra- and inter-species variability. Melanin production became evident from 4 h pi and increased throughout the assay. All species were recovered from the hemolymph after 20 min pi; however, only H. canis could be recovered up to 48 h pi. Histopathology revealed cellular and humoral immune response, evidencing accumulation of hemocytes, nodulation, and melanin deposition in different tissues. Conclusion EHH species carried by dogs have considerable pathogenic potential, being H. canicola the species with the highest degree of virulence. Thus, G. mellonella is a useful model to assess virulence in these emerging pathogens.

The codling moth, Cydia pomonella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), is a major pest introduced to almost all main pome fruit production regions worldwide. This species was detected in Chile during the last decade of the 19th century, and now has a widespread distribution in all major apple-growing regions. We performed an analysis of the genetic variability and structure of codling moth populations in Chile using five microsatellite markers. We sampled the codling moth along the main distribution area in Chile on all its main host-plant species. Low genetic differentiation among the population samples (FST = 0.03) was found, with only slight isolation by distance. According to a Bayesian assignment test (TESS), a group of localities in the coastal mountain range from the Bío-Bío Region formed a distinct genetic cluster. Our results also suggest that the codling moth that invaded the southernmost locality (Aysén Region) had two origins from central Chile and another unknown source. We did not find significant genetic differentiation between codling moth samples from different host-plant species. Our results indicate high genetic exchange among codling moth populations between the different Chilean regions and host plants.

Aphids cause significant losses in many agricultural crops and in many cases cause repeated insecticide sprays, which increase the risk of resistance. Therefore, other alternatives are needed to control them. The toxic, anti-reproductive, and feeding deterrent effects of a mannose-binding lectin isolated from bulbs of Phycella australis Ravenna (Amaryllidaceae), named Phycella australis-agglutinin (PAA) was assayed on nymphs of the aphids Acyrthosiphon pisum Harris and Myzus persicae Sulzer fed with an artificial diet. After 72 h of PAA exposure, lethal concentration (LC50) values were 109 and 313 mu g mL(-1) for A. pisum and M. persicae, respectively, while LC90 values were 248 and 634 mu g mL(-1). Sub-lethal concentrations of PAA significantly reduced the aphid fecundity at a concentration of 80 mu g mL(-1). Only a total of 5.7 descendants per female were recorded for A. pisum (32% control progeny) and 12.4 for M. persicae (39% control progeny). Acyrthosiphon pisum was strongly deterred by PAA under choice conditions, as after 72 h exposed to 80 mu g PAA mL(-1) of diet, the feeding deterrent index was 0.91 for A. pisum and only 0.38 for M. persicae. In conclusion, the mannosebinding lectin isolated from bulbs of P. australis showed acute and chronical insecticidal activity against the pea and green peach aphids.

Beauveria is a cosmopolitan anamorphic genus of arthropod pathogens that includes the agronomically important species, B. bassiana and B. brongniartii, which are used as mycoinsecticides for the biological control of pest insects. Recent phylogenetic evidence demonstrates that Beauveria is monophyletic within the Cordycipitaceae (Hypocreales), and both B. bassiana and B. brongniartii have been linked developmentally and phylogenetically to Cordyceps species. Despite recent interest in the genetic diversity and molecular ecology of Beauveria, particularly as it relates to their role as pathogens of insects in natural and agricultural environments, the genus has not received critical taxonomic review for several decades. A multilocus phylogeny of Beauveria based on partial sequences of RPB1, RPB2, TEF and the nuclear intergenic region, Bloc, is presented and used to assess diversity within the genus and to evaluate species concepts and their taxonomic status. B. bassiana and B. brongniartii, both which represent species complexes and which heretofore have lacked type specimens, are redescribed and types are proposed. In addition six new species are described including B. varroae and B. kipukae, which form a biphyletic, morphologically cryptic sister lineage to B. bassiana, B. pseudobassiana, which also is morphologically similar to but phylogenetically distant from B. bassiana, B. asiatica and B. australis, which are sister lineages to B. brongniartii, and B. sungii, an Asian species that is linked to an undetermined species of Cordyceps. The combination B. amorpha is validly published and an epitype is designated.

The codling moth Cydia pomonella (Linnaeus) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) is a serious pest of pome fruit crops. A natural enemy of codling moth, the larval ectoparasitoid Mastrus ridibundus (Gravenhorst) (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) has been imported into South America from the USA but little is known about the biology and ecology of the wasp, knowledge that is needed to design an efficient strategy of release and establishment. Experiments were carried out to assess important traits of the biology of the parasitoid in relation to its possible use as a biocontrol agent for codling moth. When M. ridibundus females were offered larvae ranging in weight from 37 to 78 mg, they oviposited more eggs on heavier hosts. In another study, the adult wasps were offered honey, diluted honey (10%) or pollen in paired choice tests and both males and females preferred honey over the other two foods. Females preferred 10% honey over pollen, while the males showed the opposite preference. Honey-fed females lived longer than starved females. Adults died rapidly at 35 degrees C, while they lived 20 days at 25 degrees C and 12-17 days at 15 degrees C. Female wasps had on average 25 +/- 14 and 18 +/- 11 progeny at 15 and 25 degrees C, respectively, but they did not had progeny at 35 degrees C. The development time (egg to adult emergence) was on average 44 +/- 7 and 24 +/- 2 days at 15 and 25 degrees C respectively. Immature insects did not reach the adult stage at 35 degrees C.

The non-target effects of biological control are a complex matter requiring a multi-approach analysis. A fungal biopesticide is under research to control the larval stages of the ghost moth Dalaca pallens Blanchard (Lepidoptera: Hepialidae) in southern Chile. A field experiment was conducted to compare the effects of the biological control agent Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) Vuillemin (10(12) spores ha(-1)) and the insecticide lambda-cyhalothrin (7.5 g active ingredient ha(-1)) on non-target invertebrate species belonging to different guilds. The soil invertebrates were collected by using pitfall trapping and soil coring before and after spraying the biocontrol agent or the insecticide. Caught individuals were assigned to predator herbivore or decomposer guilds and then a relatively new multivariate technique called principal response curves (PRC) was adopted to track the potential treatment effects over time in the abundance or activity of the non-target guilds. The products targeting D. pallens caused different effects on guilds: lambda-cyhalothrin decreased the activity-density of the predator guild but not herbivore or decomposer guilds while the biological control agent caused no reduction in the activity-density of the three examined guilds. The negative effects of the insecticide were present from 1 to 60 days after treatment.

The effects on generalist predators of the insecticide lambda-cyhalothrin and a new biopesticide based on Beauveria bassiana spores were studied in the 2003 growing season (October to December, Southern spring) in Valdivia, Chile. Both pesticides target larvae of Dalaca spp. (Lepidoptera: Hepialidae), a complex formed by Dalaca chiliensis, Dalaca pallens and Dalaca variabilis. Lambda-cyhalothrin, B. bassiana spores and water (control) were sprayed once. Pitfall traps were used to sample predators one day before spraying as well as 1, 30 and 60 days after spraying. Sampling revealed an assemblage of 11 carabid species and two spider families (Lycosidae and Gnaphosidae). In order of abundance, the carabid species found were Ferionomorpha nebroides (45%), Allendia chilensis (20%), Argutoridius chilensis (13%), Ferionomorpha aerea (11%) and Ceroglossus chilensis (6%). Metius flavipes, Mimodromites cyaneus, Parhypates sp., Trechisibus angularis, Calosoma vagans and Trirammatus unistriatus accounted for less than 1% each. Spider families were almost equally represented. Activity of predators increased over time and negative effects of lambda-cyhalothrin were detected for F. nebroides, F. aerea, Lycosidae and Gnaphosidae. Differences vanished by day 60, except for F. aerea. Inundative release of B. bassiana spores affected only F. aerea at the last sampling date. Therefore, B. bassiana isolate B-931 is a good potential alternative to the broad-spectrum insecticide lambda-cyhalothrin, which disrupted the generalist predator assemblage more severely.

Conventional and biological control of a native moth, Dalaca pallens (Blanchard) (Lepidoptera: Hepialidae), were evaluated in Southern Chile in relation to changes on community metrics (diversity, species richness, evenness and dominance) of a soil-dwelling invertebrate assemblage. Two experiments were conducted (in winter and spring) to compare non-target effects of Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) Vuillemin and lambda-cyhalothrin insecticide. The invertebrate community was sampled before and after spraying by extracting soil cores. Estimates of diversity (Shannon index), species richness, evenness (Hurlbert's Probability of Interspecific Encounter) and dominance indicated that the invertebrate assemblage was strongly disturbed by lambda-cyhalothrin treatment but not by B. bassiana applied in winter, over the sampling period (40 days). Spring results revealed that diversity and evenness at control and at B. bassiana plots were similar between them and higher than at lambda-cyhalothrin plots, while there were no differences between sites 30 days after treatment in species richness. Inundative biological control using B. bassiana strain QU-B931 was considered to pose lower ecological risk than lambda-cyhalothrin, currently one of the most frequently used insecticides for D. pallens control.

A B S T R A C T Two Chilean isolates of Metarhizium anisopliae (Metschnikoff) Sorokin (QU-M363 and QU-M221b) were exposed to increasing doses of ultraviolet light (UV) under laboratory conditions. Conidia suspended in aqueous solution were spread on Petri dishes containing agar-agar and were placed under a UV lamp (λ = 254 nm). Without sunscreen, exposure of conidia to UV-C light reduced germination after 40 s from 80- 95% to 5-2%, for QU-M221b and QU-M363, respectively. Using the solar screen Blankophor P167 at 1% w/v, conidia germination decreased after 40 s from 68-82% to 50-33% for QU-M221b and QU- M363, respectively. Results indicate that the sunscreen Blankophor P167 is a potential adjuvant to be used in biopesticides based on M. anisopliae.

Dos aislamientos chilenos de Metarhizium anisopliae (Metchsnikoff) Sorokin fueron expuestos a dosis crecientes de luz ultravioleta (UV), en condiciones de laboratorio. Conidias en suspension acuosa fueron esparcidas en placas Petri con agar y estas fueron puestas bajo una lampara de luz UV-C (l = 254 nm). Sin el protector solar, la exposicion de las conidias durante 40 s redujo su germinacion de 80-95% a solo 5-2%, para QU-M221b y QU-M363, respectivamente. Usando el protector solar Blankophor P167â al 1% p/v, la germinacion de las conidias, tras 40 s de exposicion, se redujo desde 68-82% a 50-33% para QU-M221b y QU-M363, respectivamente. Los resultados indican que este protector solar es un potencial adjuvante para ser usado en biopesticidas basados en M. anisopliae.