AUTHOR=Clifton Eric H. , Castrillo Louela A. , Jaronski Stefan T. , Hajek Ann E. 

TITLE=Cryptic diversity and virulence of Beauveria bassiana recovered from Lycorma delicatula (spotted lanternfly) in eastern Pennsylvania

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Insect Science

VOLUME=3

YEAR=2023

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/insect-science/articles/10.3389/finsc.2023.1127682

DOI=10.3389/finsc.2023.1127682

ISSN=2673-8600

ABSTRACT=<p>The entomopathogenic fungus <italic>Beauveria bassiana</italic> is cosmopolitan and known to infect a variety of sap-sucking pests like aphids, mealybugs, and scales in the order of Hemiptera. In Fall 2017, spotted lanternfly (SLF) adults killed by the fungal entomopathogen <italic>B. bassiana</italic> were found in Berks County, Pennsylvania. In 2018-2020 we collected SLF and nearby non-target insects killed by <italic>Beauveria</italic> spp. from 18 field sites in southeastern Pennsylvania. We identified 159 <italic>Beauveria</italic> isolates from SLF and six isolates from non-targets. Five isolates of <italic>B. bassiana</italic> and one isolate of <italic>B. brongniartii</italic> were identified from the non-targets. Based on sequence data from the nuclear B locus (Bloc) intergenic region, all the isolates from SLF were identified as <italic>B. bassiana</italic>, but there were 20 different strains within this species, grouped into two clades. Three <italic>B. bassiana</italic> strains (A, B, and L) were found in most field sites and were the most prevalent. Representative isolates for these three strains were used in laboratory bioassays and were compared to a commercial <italic>B. bassiana</italic> strain (GHA). Strain B was inferior to A, L, and GHA against nymphs; strains A and L had greater efficacy than B and GHA against adults. We also quantified conidial production on SLF cadavers. This paper discusses the diversity of these <italic>B. bassiana</italic> strains in SLF populations and implications for biological control of this abundant invasive.</p>