Infection by Beauveria Bassiana of Leptinotarsa Decemlineata Larvae as a Consequence of Fecal Contamination of the Integument Following Per Os Inoculation

Document Type

Article

Journal/Book Title/Conference

Mycopathologia

Volume

111

Issue

1

Publication Date

7-1-1990

First Page

17

Last Page

24

Abstract

A study ofper os inoculated larvae was undertaken to determine if the entomopathogenic fungus,Beauveria bassiana, is able to infect the Colorado potato beetle,Leptinotarsa decemlineata, via the alimentary tract. Surface orper os inoculated larvae which were immediately surface sterilized post inoculation did not succumb to infection, whereas those larvae not sterilized became infected. Histological studies of fed or starved, agnotobiotic (with microbial flora) and axenic larvae revealed that conidia can germinate in the gut regardless of the presence of gut microflora. However, infection via the alimentary tract was never observed in fed larvae and only noted in a single starved individual. It is concluded that infections ofper os inoclated larvae occurred after surface contamination of the integument by viable conidia contained in the frass. The rate of food passage through the gut is probably important in preventingper os infections.

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