Contribution
A Beauveria bassiana strain naturally parasitizing the bee predator Vespa velutina in France
Poidatz, Juliette; Plantey, Rodrigo Javier Lopez; Thiéry, Denis
Entomologia Generalis Volume 39 Number 2 (2019), p. 73 - 79
publié: Nov 20, 2019
publication en ligne: Sep 11, 2019
manuscrit accepté: Feb 20, 2019
révision du manuscrit demandée: Feb 14, 2019
manuscrit reçu: May 18, 2018
DOI: 10.1127/entomologia/2019/0690
Open Access (article peut être télechargé gratuitement)
Abstract
Vespa velutina is a hornet predator of bees that was accidentally introduced in Europe from China in 2004. Since its arrival, it expanded through Europe, impacting both biodiversity and beekeeping. As there are currently no biological alternatives to chemical treatment of V. velutina nests, we need more studies on the development of potential biological control methods. We present here a further description of an indigenous strain of entomopathogenic fungi, Beauveria bassiana that was discovered naturally parasitizing a foundresses of V. velutina in France. The genus was identified by its macro and micro morphological characteristics and the specie by molecular techniques. It growing preferences were described according temperature conditions, and the potential in using such entomopathogens as a biological control agent against V. velutina was also discussed here, first at least to replace currently occurring direct chemical treatments, and then potentially to be integrated in future Trojan horse strategies.
Mots-clefs
Asian hornet • Hymenoptera • Beauveria bassiana • biological control • entomopathology • fungus physiology