Identity, Prevalence, and Pathogenicity of Entomopathogenic Fungi Infecting Invasive <i>Polistes</i> (Vespidae: Polistinae) Paper Wasps in New Zealand
Two species of entomogenous fungi were discovered infecting the invasive paper wasp <i>Polistes chinensis</i> during an ecological study on Farewell Spit, New Zealand. We sequenced two nuclear ribosomal RDNA genes, the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and the small ribosomal subunit 18S...
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MDPI AG
2022-10-01
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| Series: | Insects |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/13/10/922 |
| _version_ | 1797472556059459584 |
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| author | Aiden Reason Mariana Bulgarella Philip J. Lester |
| author_facet | Aiden Reason Mariana Bulgarella Philip J. Lester |
| author_sort | Aiden Reason |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Two species of entomogenous fungi were discovered infecting the invasive paper wasp <i>Polistes chinensis</i> during an ecological study on Farewell Spit, New Zealand. We sequenced two nuclear ribosomal RDNA genes, the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and the small ribosomal subunit 18S, and one protein-coding gene, the translation elongation factor 1-alpha (<i>ef1 α</i>). Combining sequence information with morphological examination, we identified these species as <i>Beauveria malawiensis</i> and <i>Ophiocordyceps humbertii</i>. We estimated that these fungi produce infection in approximately 3.3% of colonies in our study population. In bioassays, we successfully infected <i>P. chinensis</i> individuals from healthy colonies with <i>B. malawiensis</i>, with significant effects on adult mortality. This is the first record of both <i>B. malawiensis</i> and <i>O. humbertii</i> from Polistine hosts in New Zealand, and the first investigation into disease causality by these pathogens in <i>P. chinensis</i>. Our findings may contribute to the future development of biological control agents for paper wasps in New Zealand and elsewhere around the world. |
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| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-a194b9611d624af3b2bef03ee829b08e |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2075-4450 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T20:04:02Z |
| publishDate | 2022-10-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| series | Insects |
| spelling | doaj.art-a194b9611d624af3b2bef03ee829b08e2023-11-24T00:38:10ZengMDPI AGInsects2075-44502022-10-01131092210.3390/insects13100922Identity, Prevalence, and Pathogenicity of Entomopathogenic Fungi Infecting Invasive <i>Polistes</i> (Vespidae: Polistinae) Paper Wasps in New ZealandAiden Reason0Mariana Bulgarella1Philip J. Lester2School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, P.O. Box 600, Wellington 6140, New ZealandSchool of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, P.O. Box 600, Wellington 6140, New ZealandSchool of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, P.O. Box 600, Wellington 6140, New ZealandTwo species of entomogenous fungi were discovered infecting the invasive paper wasp <i>Polistes chinensis</i> during an ecological study on Farewell Spit, New Zealand. We sequenced two nuclear ribosomal RDNA genes, the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and the small ribosomal subunit 18S, and one protein-coding gene, the translation elongation factor 1-alpha (<i>ef1 α</i>). Combining sequence information with morphological examination, we identified these species as <i>Beauveria malawiensis</i> and <i>Ophiocordyceps humbertii</i>. We estimated that these fungi produce infection in approximately 3.3% of colonies in our study population. In bioassays, we successfully infected <i>P. chinensis</i> individuals from healthy colonies with <i>B. malawiensis</i>, with significant effects on adult mortality. This is the first record of both <i>B. malawiensis</i> and <i>O. humbertii</i> from Polistine hosts in New Zealand, and the first investigation into disease causality by these pathogens in <i>P. chinensis</i>. Our findings may contribute to the future development of biological control agents for paper wasps in New Zealand and elsewhere around the world.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/13/10/922<i>Beauveria</i>entomopathogenic fungi<i>Hirsutella</i>microbial pathogenicity<i>Ophiocordyceps</i><i>Polistes chinensis</i> |
| spellingShingle | Aiden Reason Mariana Bulgarella Philip J. Lester Identity, Prevalence, and Pathogenicity of Entomopathogenic Fungi Infecting Invasive <i>Polistes</i> (Vespidae: Polistinae) Paper Wasps in New Zealand Insects <i>Beauveria</i> entomopathogenic fungi <i>Hirsutella</i> microbial pathogenicity <i>Ophiocordyceps</i> <i>Polistes chinensis</i> |
| title | Identity, Prevalence, and Pathogenicity of Entomopathogenic Fungi Infecting Invasive <i>Polistes</i> (Vespidae: Polistinae) Paper Wasps in New Zealand |
| title_full | Identity, Prevalence, and Pathogenicity of Entomopathogenic Fungi Infecting Invasive <i>Polistes</i> (Vespidae: Polistinae) Paper Wasps in New Zealand |
| title_fullStr | Identity, Prevalence, and Pathogenicity of Entomopathogenic Fungi Infecting Invasive <i>Polistes</i> (Vespidae: Polistinae) Paper Wasps in New Zealand |
| title_full_unstemmed | Identity, Prevalence, and Pathogenicity of Entomopathogenic Fungi Infecting Invasive <i>Polistes</i> (Vespidae: Polistinae) Paper Wasps in New Zealand |
| title_short | Identity, Prevalence, and Pathogenicity of Entomopathogenic Fungi Infecting Invasive <i>Polistes</i> (Vespidae: Polistinae) Paper Wasps in New Zealand |
| title_sort | identity prevalence and pathogenicity of entomopathogenic fungi infecting invasive i polistes i vespidae polistinae paper wasps in new zealand |
| topic | <i>Beauveria</i> entomopathogenic fungi <i>Hirsutella</i> microbial pathogenicity <i>Ophiocordyceps</i> <i>Polistes chinensis</i> |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/13/10/922 |
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