摘要
Objective: To test the effectiveness of conidial spore formulations [Aspergillus tubingensis(A.tubingensis) and Trichoderma harzianum(T.harzianum)] against tropical bed bugs, Cimex hemipterus.Methods: Spore formulations were made from two fungal strains, T.harzianum and A.tubingensis.The bed bugs were exposed to the conidial spores placed soaked onto a fabric cloth for 1 h and the mortality counts were recorded daily until 14 days.Results: Mean survival times based on Kaplan–Meier survival analysis showed no significant differences between all the concentrations in both the fungal isolates:T.harzianum and A.tubingensis.However, the evaluation of both the isolates in terms of virulence resulted in low lethal hours in all the concentrations except for the high concentration of A.tubingensis(LT_(50)= 44.629 h) at the conidial exposure of 1 × 10~6 spores/mL.Rapid mortality of the bed bugs was observed from Day 6 to Day 12, ranging from 13% to 90% in all three concentrations of A.tubingensis.With reference to the T.harzianum exposure, the concentration of 1 × 10~4 spores/mL displayed a gradual increase in the percentage mortality of 90 on Day 14.Conclusions: Approaches to the bed bugs treatment should be explored in-depth using a natural biological agent like fungus especially A.tubingensis to reduce this pest population, in order to replace chemical methods.
Objective: To test the effectiveness of conidial spore formulations [Aspergillus tubingensis(A.tubingensis) and Trichoderma harzianum(T.harzianum)] against tropical bed bugs, Cimex hemipterus.Methods: Spore formulations were made from two fungal strains, T.harzianum and A.tubingensis.The bed bugs were exposed to the conidial spores placed soaked onto a fabric cloth for 1 h and the mortality counts were recorded daily until 14 days.Results: Mean survival times based on Kaplan–Meier survival analysis showed no significant differences between all the concentrations in both the fungal isolates:T.harzianum and A.tubingensis.However, the evaluation of both the isolates in terms of virulence resulted in low lethal hours in all the concentrations except for the high concentration of A.tubingensis(LT_(50)= 44.629 h) at the conidial exposure of 1 × 10~6 spores/mL.Rapid mortality of the bed bugs was observed from Day 6 to Day 12, ranging from 13% to 90% in all three concentrations of A.tubingensis.With reference to the T.harzianum exposure, the concentration of 1 × 10~4 spores/mL displayed a gradual increase in the percentage mortality of 90 on Day 14.Conclusions: Approaches to the bed bugs treatment should be explored in-depth using a natural biological agent like fungus especially A.tubingensis to reduce this pest population, in order to replace chemical methods.
基金
Supported by Universiti Sains Malaysia(Grant No.304/PBIOLOGI/6313030)
