Fungi for control of the poultry red mite, Dermanyssus gallinae

Dave Moore and Tove Steenberg, CABI and Danish Institute of Agricultural Science

Beauveria bassiana

Metarhizium anisopliae

Entomopathogenic fungi (EPF)

EPF are capable of infecting insect and mite species and killing them. Spores that contact the host cuticle of a species to which they are adapted will germinate, penetrate the cuticle and spread through the body

After death of the host, the fungus may grow out of the cadaver and produce more spores, increasing the potential duration of control

LUBILOSA Locust Control Project 1987 - 2001

Possible to control one of the worlds most serious pests in one of the most challenging environments.

..and do it better than the conventional chemical insecticide.

Mean grasshopper population after application of Metarhizium sp. at 100g/ha and fenitrothion at 250g/ha on 50 ha plots

Agents Formulation Ecosystems Application

Biological success in the development of a mycoinsecticide requires success in the above components and their interactions.

Development of alternative control methods for the chicken mite (Dermanyssus gallinae)
2001-2005 Acronym: CHIMICO

Duration: 2001-2006

EU transition in egg production systems: 2003/2012

Battery system

Barn system

Initial screening of isolates

100% 80% B.ba P. fum

Mortality

60% M. anis 40% 20% 0% 0 5 M. anis P. fum B. ba Control

Day

10

15

The poultry house environment: Possible adverse factors for conidial persistence?

High ammonia levels

25 C ~75% r.h. for prolonged periods

Any effects of ammonia?

Infectivity at 35 ppm ammonia (24 h exposure)
100 80

% Mortality

60 40 20 0 Control B. bassiana M. anisopliae

35 ppm 0 ppm

Treatment

Persistence of dry conidia (25C, 85% r.h.)

100 80

% germination

60 40 20 0 4 9 16 22 Time (days) 26 32 37

Bba6 Met4556 Bba228 Met 425 Bba678

Transmission
Free contact in large containers
B. bassiana 100

% Mortality

80 60 40 20 0 0 5 50

Live donors (in % of total)

Control, after 14 days

Fungus treated, after 14 days

Number and weight of RPM after treatment with B. bassiana 2005

25000 3000

2500 20000

2000 15000 1500 10000 1000

Total numbers Total weight (mg)

5000 500

Controls Controls

Treat Treated

Controls

Treated

Conclusions
a. CHIMICO project demonstrated potential for control Latest trials gave unusually low persistency on fabric of poultry units

Agents Formulation Ecosystems Application

Biological success in the development of a mycoinsecticide requires success in the above components and their interactions.

Red Poultry Mite

Agent Effective at killing Difficult to mass produce Too slow acting to control populations Temperature, humidity, ammonia Short persistency on fabric of unit Bacterial competition Various application methods feasible Liquid, powder, gel feasible +++ ? +++ - (recent finding) - (recent finding) +++ +++

Ecosystem

Application Formulation

Agent
Slow acting, mites moult and escape disease Select for fast acting agents Mass production for fast acting agents Rely on physical effects

Research Challenges
Agent difficult to mass produce - Determine constraints - Select another isolate 0.6g/Kg or 60g/Kg

Increase dosage compensates for reduced virulence

Conclusions
The CHIMICO project demonstrated potential for control BUT, the latest trials gave insignificant levels of control, perhaps due to unusually low persistency of spores on the fabric of the poultry units

Future Projects
Isolate selection
-persistent isolates, especially for adults -Quick acting to prevent successful moulting

Trapping & dissemination

Formulations

Conclusion
Biological efficacy of EPF has been confirmed but environmental and application challenges exist. Major emphasis on selection of isolates with relevant characteristics is necessary.