Beauveria bassiana strain ATCC 74040 (Naturalis®), a valuable tool for the control of the cherry fruit fly (Rhagoletis cerasi)

Summary in the original language of the document

Naturalis® is a bioinsecticide based on living conidiospores of the naturally occuring
Beauveria bassiana strain ATCC 74040. The entomopathogenic fungus acts primarily by
contact: once attached to the insect’s cuticle, the conidiospores germinate producing
penetration hyphae, which enter and proliferate inside the insect’s body. The fungus
invades and feeds on its host, causing its death due to dehydration and/or depletion of
nutrients. Several years of laboratory, semi-field and field studies showed that also Tephritid
flies (Ceratitis capitata, Rhagoletis cerasi, Bactrocera oleae) are susceptible to infection by
B. bassiana strain ATCC 74040. The results of efficacy trials conducted in 2004-05 are
reported. Naturalis was tested both alone and in an integrated pest management strategy.
The product showed high efficacy in controlling R. cerasi, comparable to or higher than
that of the chemical reference treatment. The B. bassiana-based product Naturalis can thus
be considered an efficient tool for the control of the cherry fruit fly.