Full Length Research Paper

First report of aphidopathogenic fungi Fusarium semitectum (Berkeley and Ravenel, 1875) and Fusarium sacchari (Butler and Hafiz Khan) Gams (1971) on Capitophorus elaeagni (Del Guercio) (Hemiptera: Aphididae)

Guesmi Jouda, Ben Halima Kamel Monia and Boughalleb Naima

UR High Institute of Agronomy, Chott Mariem, 4042, Souse, Tunisia

*Corresponding author. E-mail: kamonia_tn@yahoo.fr.  Tel: 0021673327546.

Fax: 0021673327591.

Accepted 21 January, 2010

   Abstract

During the autumn of 2007, some mycosis symptoms have been observed on the different biological stages of development of Capitophorus elaeagni (Del Guercio) prospected in many regions of production of artichoke in Tunisia. Fungi isolation was conducted from aphid’s cadavers. It revealed the presence of cream-coloured mycelia colonies. Morphologic identification, based on the development of these colonies on specific media, showed typical characteristics of Fusarium genus. Indeed, tow species were identified, Fusarium sacchari and Fusarium semitectum. In vitro pathogenicity assays demonstrated the aphidopathogenic properties of this tow species on C. elaeagni which are reported for the first time. 

Key words: Artichoke, Capitophorus elaeagni, entomopathogenic fungi, Fusarium semitectum, Fusarium sacchari.