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Combining Mutualistic Yeast and Pathogenic Virus — A Novel Method for Codling Moth Control

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Abstract

The combination of a pathogenic virus and mutualistic yeasts isolated from larvae of codling moth Cydia pomonella is proposed as a novel insect control technique. Apples were treated with codling moth granulovirus (CpGV) and either one of three yeasts, Metschnikowia pulcherrima, Cryptococcus tephrensis, or Aureobasidium pullulans. The combination of yeasts with CpGV significantly increased mortality of neonate codling moth larvae, compared with CpGV alone. The three yeasts were equally efficient in enhancing the activity of CpGV. The addition of brown cane sugar to yeast further increased larval mortality and the protection of fruit against larvae. In comparison, without yeast, the addition of sugar to CpGV did not produce a significant effect. A field trial confirmed that fruit injury and larval survival were significantly reduced when apple trees were sprayed with CpGV, M. pulcherrima, and sugar. We have shown earlier that mutualistic yeasts are an essential part of codling moth larval diet. The finding that yeast also enhances larval ingestion of an insect-pathogenic virus is an opportunity for the development of a novel plant protection technique. We expect the combination of yeasts and insect pathogens to essentially contribute to future insect management.

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Acknowledgments

We thank several co-workers at the Agricultural Research Service, U.S.D.A. in Wapato, WA. Duane Larson and Lee Ream provided technical assistance in the laboratory and field, and Dave Horton provided statistical advice. Cletus Kurtzman, U.S.D.A. in Peoria, IL provided the molecular identifications of the yeast species. P. W. is supported by the Linnaeus environment “Insect Chemical Ecology, Ethology, and Evolution” IC-E3 (Formas, SLU).

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  1. Yakima Agricultural Research Laboratory, Agricultural Research Service, USDA, 5230 Konnowac Pass Rd., Wapato, WA, 98951, USA

    Alan L. Knight

  2. Chemical Ecology Group, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 230 53, Alnarp, Sweden

    Peter Witzgall

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  1. Alan L. Knight
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Correspondence to Alan L. Knight.

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Knight, A.L., Witzgall, P. Combining Mutualistic Yeast and Pathogenic Virus — A Novel Method for Codling Moth Control. J Chem Ecol 39, 1019–1026 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10886-013-0322-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10886-013-0322-z

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