Evaluation of the activity of filamentous fungi isolated from soils of the Pampa biome applied in the biological control of Tetranychus urticae (Acari: Tetranychidae) and Polyphagotarsonemus latus (Acari: Tarsonemidae)

Tetranychus urticae Koch and Polyphagotarsonemus latus Banks are mite species considered capable of attaining pest levels, damaging a range of agricultural crops. The Pampa biome is characterized by the high biodiversity it houses, particularly microbial diversity, which highlights its potential for developing microorganisms that can provide biological control of arthropods. The aim of this study was to evaluate the activity of four fungal isolates from the soil of the Pampa biome in the biological control of T. urticae (females and eggs) and P. latus (females). Experiments consisted of isolating and identifying fungal isolates for spore quantification and aspersion at 108, 106, and 104 spores/mL concentrations in arenas containing T. urticae females and eggs, and P. latus females, separately. Results indicated that only three isolates (Aspergillus brunneoviolaceus, Clonostachys chloroleuca, and Penicillium adametzii) showed high control of T. urticae females, yet they did not exhibit any control of T. urticae eggs and P. latus females. Therefore, the present study confirms the viability of some of these fungi as biological control agents of mites, which implies the importance of new prospects with other fungal species, considering the richness of resources in the Pampa biome, or even the need to test higher concentrations and other variables using the microorganisms of the present study.