Directed evolution of Metarhizium fungus improves its biocontrol efficacy against Varroa mites in honey bee colonies
Abstract Entomopathogenic fungi show great promise as pesticides in terms of their relatively high target specificity, low non-target toxicity, and low residual effects in agricultural fields and the environment. However, they also frequently have characteristics that limit their use, especially con...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Nature Portfolio
2021-05-01
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| Series: | Scientific Reports |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-89811-2 |
| _version_ | 1818428862298587136 |
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| author | Jennifer O. Han Nicholas L. Naeger Brandon K. Hopkins David Sumerlin Paul E. Stamets Lori M. Carris Walter S. Sheppard |
| author_facet | Jennifer O. Han Nicholas L. Naeger Brandon K. Hopkins David Sumerlin Paul E. Stamets Lori M. Carris Walter S. Sheppard |
| author_sort | Jennifer O. Han |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Entomopathogenic fungi show great promise as pesticides in terms of their relatively high target specificity, low non-target toxicity, and low residual effects in agricultural fields and the environment. However, they also frequently have characteristics that limit their use, especially concerning tolerances to temperature, ultraviolet radiation, or other abiotic factors. The devastating ectoparasite of honey bees, Varroa destructor, is susceptible to entomopathogenic fungi, but the relatively warm temperatures inside honey bee hives have prevented these fungi from becoming effective control measures. Using a combination of traditional selection and directed evolution techniques developed for this system, new strains of Metarhizium brunneum were created that survived, germinated, and grew better at bee hive temperatures (35 °C). Field tests with full-sized honey bee colonies confirmed that the new strain JH1078 is more virulent against Varroa mites and controls the pest comparable to current treatments. These results indicate that entomopathogenic fungi are evolutionarily labile and capable of playing a larger role in modern pest management practices. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-14T15:08:22Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-f37cb6f499cc405fa9ac9fe98f9744b3 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2045-2322 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-14T15:08:22Z |
| publishDate | 2021-05-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Scientific Reports |
| spelling | doaj.art-f37cb6f499cc405fa9ac9fe98f9744b32022-12-21T22:56:39ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222021-05-0111111010.1038/s41598-021-89811-2Directed evolution of Metarhizium fungus improves its biocontrol efficacy against Varroa mites in honey bee coloniesJennifer O. Han0Nicholas L. Naeger1Brandon K. Hopkins2David Sumerlin3Paul E. Stamets4Lori M. Carris5Walter S. Sheppard6Department of Entomology, Washington State UniversityDepartment of Entomology, Washington State UniversityDepartment of Entomology, Washington State UniversityFungi Perfecti LLCFungi Perfecti LLCDepartment of Plant Pathology, Washington State UniversityDepartment of Entomology, Washington State UniversityAbstract Entomopathogenic fungi show great promise as pesticides in terms of their relatively high target specificity, low non-target toxicity, and low residual effects in agricultural fields and the environment. However, they also frequently have characteristics that limit their use, especially concerning tolerances to temperature, ultraviolet radiation, or other abiotic factors. The devastating ectoparasite of honey bees, Varroa destructor, is susceptible to entomopathogenic fungi, but the relatively warm temperatures inside honey bee hives have prevented these fungi from becoming effective control measures. Using a combination of traditional selection and directed evolution techniques developed for this system, new strains of Metarhizium brunneum were created that survived, germinated, and grew better at bee hive temperatures (35 °C). Field tests with full-sized honey bee colonies confirmed that the new strain JH1078 is more virulent against Varroa mites and controls the pest comparable to current treatments. These results indicate that entomopathogenic fungi are evolutionarily labile and capable of playing a larger role in modern pest management practices.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-89811-2 |
| spellingShingle | Jennifer O. Han Nicholas L. Naeger Brandon K. Hopkins David Sumerlin Paul E. Stamets Lori M. Carris Walter S. Sheppard Directed evolution of Metarhizium fungus improves its biocontrol efficacy against Varroa mites in honey bee colonies Scientific Reports |
| title | Directed evolution of Metarhizium fungus improves its biocontrol efficacy against Varroa mites in honey bee colonies |
| title_full | Directed evolution of Metarhizium fungus improves its biocontrol efficacy against Varroa mites in honey bee colonies |
| title_fullStr | Directed evolution of Metarhizium fungus improves its biocontrol efficacy against Varroa mites in honey bee colonies |
| title_full_unstemmed | Directed evolution of Metarhizium fungus improves its biocontrol efficacy against Varroa mites in honey bee colonies |
| title_short | Directed evolution of Metarhizium fungus improves its biocontrol efficacy against Varroa mites in honey bee colonies |
| title_sort | directed evolution of metarhizium fungus improves its biocontrol efficacy against varroa mites in honey bee colonies |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-89811-2 |
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