Molecular Characterization of Native Entomopathogenic Fungi from Ambrosia Beetles in Hazelnut Orchards of Turkey and Evaluation of Their In Vitro Efficacy

The ambrosia beetles, Anisandrus dispar Fabricius, Xylosandrus germanus Blandford, and Xyleborinus saxesenii Ratzeburg (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) are among the most significant hazelnut pests in Turkey. The control of these pests is difficult and expensive due to their biology. The present study aimed to isolate EPF from A. dispar, X. germanus and X. saxesenii individuals obtained from main hazelnut production areas of Turkey, characterise EPF isolates using the internal transcribed spacer (ITS)-DNA sequencing and iPBS profilings, and determine the efficacy of isolates against A. dispar, X. germanus, and X. saxesenii under laboratory conditions. Phylogenetic analyses based on ITS revealed that 47 native isolates were Beauveria bassiana (11), B. pseudobassiana (8), Cordyceps fumosorosea (6), Cordyceps farinosa (1), Akanthomyces lecanii (13), Purpureocillium lilacinum (3), Clonostachys rosea (2) and Metarhizium anisopliae (3). PBS marker system based on retrotransposons was used to discriminate the EPF species successfully for the first time. Some isolates of B. bassiana, B. pseudobassiana, C. fumosorosea, A. lecanii, and M. anisopliae caused 100% mortality of the beetle species within 7-9 days. According to the findings of this study, some isolated entomopathogenic fungi provide an essential basis for the development of bioproducts as well as a promising alternative control method against these ambrosia beetles.Peer reviewe