Effect of Beauveria bassiana on the ovarian development and reproductive potential of Anastrepha ludens (Diptera: Tephritidae)

Abstract We investigated the virulence of a native strain of Beauveria bassiana on the mortality, ovarian development, oogenesis, survival, fecundity and fertility of 4-, 8- and 12-day-old Anastrepha ludens females. In the first study, this strain caused 85% mortality in 8-day-old treated females, with a median lethal concentration (LC50) of 3.1×108 (2.1×108–4.7×108) conidia/mL and a median lethal time (LT50) of 6.5 days. In the second study, the ovarian development and oogenesis of A. ludens females treated with 1×109 conidia/mL were monitored daily in sacrificed flies. The fungus infection did not significantly affect ovarian development of the treated females, although there was a delay in vitellogenesis and a reduction in the quantity of mature basal oocytes and oviposition index in these flies. Moreover, the lowest net fecundity was found in 4-, 8- and 12-day-old treated females, and reduced fertility was observed in 4-day-old treated females. An application to test the potential use of this strain u...