Laboratory analysis reveals Beauveria bassiana B4 effectively reduces Monochamus alternatus populations, suggesting a new eco-friendly approach to manage pine wilt disease.
Pine wilt disease, transmitted primarily by Monochamus alternatus (Hope, 1842) adults, causes severe ecological and economic losses globally. Conventional chemical controls face challenges of resistance and non-target toxicity. This study identified Beauveria bassiana (Bals.-Criv.) Vuill. strain B4 as a high-virulence biocontrol agent against adult M. alternatus. Laboratory bioassays compared four strains (B1–B4), with B4 exhibiting rapid lethality (LT50 = 6.61 days at 1 × 108 spores/mL) and low median lethal concentration (LC50 = 9.63 × 105 spores/mL). Critically, B4 infection induced significant behavioral suppression, including reduced appetite and mobility prior to death. In forest trials, pheromone-enhanced nonwoven fabric bags impregnated with B4 spores reduced trap catches by 66.4% within one month, with effects persisting for over a year without reapplication. The slow-release carrier system enabled continuous spore dissemination and sustained population suppression. These results demonstrate that B4’s dual action—rapid lethality and behavioral disruption—provides an effective, eco-friendly strategy for sustainable pine wilt disease management.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Zhang et al. (2025) studied this question.