Is the temporary grazing exclusion a good management alternative for arid peatlands?

Highland peatlands are one of the most fragile ecosystems in the world. These ecosystems have vital nutritional importance for livestock, however previous research has indicated that intensive grazing could negatively affect these communities, requiring the application of temporary grazing exclusion to restore the health of the peatland. The objective of our study was to evaluate the effect of grazing exclusion on plant allocation strategy and carrying capacity of Oxychloe andina Phil. The plant traits of O. andina were quantified through measurements of specific leaf area (SLA) and leaf dry matter content (LDMC). We estimated the carrying capacity through livestock censuses and vegetational transects. SLA was found to be greater in grazed conditions than in ungrazed conditions (p?=?0.0194) at five months after the application of treatments. Additionally, greater productivity associated with greater LDMC in March was observed under conditions of grazing exclusion (p?=?0.0306). Production estimates of O. andina reached 4816?kg of dry matter (DM) distributed over an area of 9.84?ha, which was equivalent to 489?kg DM of O. andina DM ha^?1. Using DM production as a proxy of the peatland and considering the average vegetation cover of 70%, the peatland produces an estimated of 1370?kg DM year^?1. The temporary grazing exclusion enhanced the productivity of O. andina. However, depending on DM production in relation to grazing demand, there is a possibility of exceeding the animal load for this plant species.     

Response to the letter on “Climatic distribution of citrus black spot caused by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Phyllosticta citricarpa.</Emphasis> A historical analysis of disease spread in South Africa” by Fourie et al. (2017)

In a previous study, Martínez-Minaya et al. (European Journal of Plant Pathology 143, 69–83, 2015) performed an analysis of climate-based distribution of citrus black spot (CBS) in South Africa. It was found that CBS was initially confined to humid areas with summer rainfall, but later spread to arid steppe and even desert climates. A strong spatial autocorrelation of CBS distribution was found. Fourie et al. (European Journal of Plant Pathology, 2017) take a critical view of our study, but without presenting any analysis of results to refute our findings. Furthermore, Fourie et al. (European Journal of Plant Pathology, 2017) appear to have misunderstood our work, since many of their criticisms relate to the potential distribution of CBS in Europe, which is beyond the scope of our original study. Fourie et al. (European Journal of Plant Pathology, 2017) highlight the limitations of climate classifications in species distribution modelling. However, this was made explicit in our study, indicating that it was a preparatory work and further advanced modelling studies, including spatial effects, will be needed. Fourie et al. (European Journal of Plant Pathology, 2017) incorrectly assume that we used all of South Africa as the background in the spatial autocorrelation analysis. However, only citrus areas were used and a strong spatial autocorrelation was detected at all distances evaluated. Contrary to what Fourie et al. (European Journal of Plant Pathology, 2017) suggest, similar climate distributions of CBS were obtained at 5′ and 30′ resolution, and also with the national land-cover map of South Africa. The figure comparison presented by Fourie et al. (European Journal of Plant Pathology, 2017) appears to ignore the fact that the maps we used were grid cells of 10 × 10 km and not the line polygons they suggest. Therefore, we consider the conclusions from the Martínez-Minaya et al. (European Journal of Plant Pathology 143, 69–83, 2015) remain entirely valid.     

Damage thresholds and population dynamics of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pratylenchus penetrans</Emphasis> on carrot (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Daucus carota</Emphasis> L. cv. Nerac) at three different seed densities

Yield and quality loss of carrot (Daucus carota L. cv. Nerac) caused by Pratylenchus penetrans and the population dynamics of this nematode were studied in a climate controlled glasshouse. A range of 12 nematode densities was used at three different seed densities of carrot; 2, 4 and 18 seeds pot^?1. Seinhorst’s yield loss model; y?=?m?+?(1 - m) 0.95 ^Pi/T-1 for Pi?>?T; y?=?1 for Pi?≤?T for Tylenchina was fitted to the yield and quality loss data. Seinhorst’s model for population dynamics of migratory nematodes with multiple generations; \( Pf=M* Pi/\left( Pi+M/a\right) \) was fitted to the data of the final population densities (Pf). P. penetrans had a significant impact on carrot taproot yield and its quality. The tolerance limits for the relative carrot taproot yield (T _y) were 1.51, 1.88, and 1.37 and those of quality yields (T _q) were 0.67, 0.18, and 0.40 P. penetrans (g dry soil)^?1 at 2, 4 and 18 seeds pot^?1, respectively. Both the minimum yield (0.20, 0.29, and 0.60) and the minimum quality yield (0.05, 0.07, and 0.20), expressed as a proportion, increased with seed density at 2, 4 and 18 seeds pot^?1, respectively. The model for population dynamics fitted well to the Pf data obtained. The maximum multiplication rates (a) were 19.58, 9.99, and 17.54, while the maximum population densities (M) were 49.86, 43.21, and 60.37 P. penetrans (g dry soil)^?1 at 2, 4, and 18 seeds pot^?1, respectively. Carrot cv. Nerac can be considered a good host for P. penetrans.     

Euphresco Sendo: An international laboratory comparison study of molecular tests for <Emphasis Type="Italic">Synchytrium endobioticum</Emphasis> detection and identification

An international test performance study (TPS) was organised to generate validation data for three molecular Synchytrium endobioticum tests: van den Boogert et al. (European Journal of Plant Pathology 113, 47–57, 2005), and van Gent-Pelzer et al. (European Journal of Plant Pathology, 126, 129-133, 2010) for the detection of S. endobioticum, and the pathotype 1(D1) identification test described by Bonants et al. (European Journal of Plant Pathology, 143, 495-506, 2015). Two TPS rounds were organised focussing on different test matrices, i.e. round 1: warted potato tissue, and round 2: resting spore suspensions. When using the tests for detection and identification of S. endobioticum in warted potato tissue, no significant differences were observed for diagnostic sensitivity, diagnostic specificity, overall accuracy, analytical sensitivity and robustness. When using the tests for detection and identification of S. endobioticum in resting spore suspensions, the van den Boogert and van Gent-Pelzer tests significantly outperform the Bonants test for diagnostic sensitivity and diagnostic specificity. For overall accuracy and analytical sensitivity, the van Gent-Pelzer significantly outperforms the van den Boogert and Bonants tests and is regarded as the test of choice when identifying S. endobioticum from resting spores. Tests regarded fit for purpose for routine testing of wart material and resting spore suspensions are proposed for the update of EPPO standard PM7/28(1) Synchytrium endobioticum.     

Shift in the level of susceptibility and relative resistance of brinjal shoot and fruit borer <Emphasis Type="Italic">Leucinodes orbonalis</Emphasis> (Guen) to diamide insecticides

Brinjal shoot and fruit borer Leucinodes orbonalis Guen. is a major pest of brinjal in India. The field collected larvae of L.orbonalis were tested for their susceptibility to three diamide insecticides by fruit dip bioassay technique. Cyantraniliprole and chlorantraniliprole were 5.23 and 2.80 times more toxic to L. orbonalis as compared to flubendiamide. Large variation in the susceptibility of L. orbonalis to cyantraniliprole, chlorantraniliprole, flubendiamide was observed and the LC₅₀ values were 0.084, 0.157 and 0.439 mg a.i. L^?1, respectively. In span of two years there was a significant increase in the LC₅₀ values of cyantraniliprole (0.062 to 0.085 mg a.i. L^?1), chlorantraniliprole (0.097 to 0.157 mg a.i. L^?1), flubendiamide (0.284 to 0.439 mg a.i. L^?1) to population of L. orbonalis, which showed 1.35, 1.62 and 1.55 fold resistance, respectively indicating faster development of resistance to diamide insecticides.     

Sensitivity of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cochliobolus heterostrophus</Emphasis> to three demethylation inhibitor fungicides,propiconazole, diniconazole and prochloraz,and their efficacy against southern corn leaf blight in Fujian Province,China

Southern corn leaf blight (SCLB) caused by Cochliobolus heterostrophus is a fungal disease that impacts production of corn in China. Fungicides have been the main strategy to manage SCLB. In this study, 276 isolates of C. heterostrophus from seven locations in Fujian Province of China were tested for sensitivity to three demethylation inhibitor (DMI) fungicides. The results indicated that most of the isolates of C. heterostrophus tested were exceptionally sensitive to the three DMI fungicides. Correlation analysis revealed positive association between propiconazole and diniconazole (r?=?0.8145, P?<?0.0001), propiconazole and prochloraz (r?=?0.6190, P?<?0.0001), and diniconazole and prochloraz (r?=?0.5784, P?<?0.0001). However, there was no cross-resistance between these three DMI fungicides and the other six fungicides tested, which included carbendazol, chlorothalonil, mancozeb, iprodione, fluazinam, and pyraclostrobin. In a preventive pot experiment, one spray of 25% propiconazole emulsifiable concentrate (EC) with 250 μg active ingredient (a.i.) mL^?1 applied 12 and 24 h before inoculation at the seedling (V6) stage reduced severity of SCLB by 85.60–89.21%. Nevertheless, the curative activity of propiconazole was much weaker (P?<?0.05) than its preventive efficacy. In greenhouse pot assays, one dose of propiconazole at 250 μg a.i. mL^?1 was the most efficacious for controlling SCLB at the seedling and tasseling (VT) stages of corn, decreasing severity by 80.31%–84.85%, which was higher (P?<?0.05) compared to diniconazole, prochloraz, and other reference fungicides. Therefore, propiconazole appears to be very effective in reducing SCLB and should be applied as a preventive rather than therapeutic fungicide. Our findings provide essential information on the evolution of DMI resistance in C. heterostrophus in Fujian Province of China and may serve as a guide for early resistance monitoring in the future.     

Phylogenetic placement,DNA barcoding,morphology and evidence for the spreading of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Entyloma cosmi</Emphasis>, a species attacking <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cosmos bipinnatus</Emphasis> in temperate climate gardens

The white leaf smut is one of the recently reported and apparently spreading diseases of the garden cosmos (Cosmos bipinnatus) causing necrosis and wilting of the leaves and leading to reduction of its ornamental value. The occurrence of this fungal disease was first observed in Japan (Hokkaido Island) in 1996, and later in Germany (Saxony-Anhalt) in 2002, and the causative agent was described as new species, Entyloma cosmi, in 2005. This smut was subsequently reported from Canada, Switzerland, and Korea. Here it is reported for the first time from Austria, France, Italy, Poland, and Slovenia. This indicates the rapid spread of Entyloma cosmi on Cosmus bipinnatus in temperate climate gardens. The phylogenetic position of Entyloma cosmi is analyzed using ITS rDNA sequences, the phenotypic characters are critically re-evaluated, and the species is characterized using the Consolidated Species Concept, including morphology, ecology (host plant), and rDNA sequences (ITS and LSU). Selected ITS sequences and one LSU sequence generated in this work are deposited on the BarCode of Life website in GenBank (www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/genbank/barcode/) and Fungal Barcoding Database (www.fungalbarcoding.org), and could serve as DNA barcodes to facilitate rapid identification of this economically important species. The ITS sequence from the holotype of Entyloma cosmi, sequenced here, is recommended to be deposited in the RefSeq Targeted Loci database.     

Host-pathogen interaction as a special case of interrelations between organisms

Plants are open systems and therefore maintain a vast number of complex relationships with the environment. Among these are:

1. 1.
   Dependencies upon the external environment.
    
2. 2.
   Strong influences on the environment.
    
3. 3.
   Diverse interrelations with other organisms at different levels, of plant species among each other, and of plants with animals including human beings.
    

According to the nature of the interaction various types of interrelations can be distinguished: (a) neutral relations (e.g. epiphytes), (b) mutualistic relations (fertilization, symbiosis), and (c) parasitic relations (incompatibility, the phytopathological host-parasite interactions).Pathogens can be defined as organisms out of place. As a result of special conditions defense reactions are observed in the stricken individuals such as irregular reactions on the metabolic level, formation of phytoalexins, competition for food, space, etc., involving also genetic interrelationships between hosts and their parasites. Such interrelations occurring on the cellular level include the problems of cell recognition, adherence of the cell surfaces to each other, and intercellular bridging. Interactions on the individual population and ecosystem levels can be reduced to aspects of the interactions, which involve mutual gene regulation.     

Scientific critique of the paper “Climatic distribution of citrus black spot caused by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Phyllosticta citricarpa</Emphasis>. A historical analysis of disease spread in South Africa” by Martínez-Minaya et al. (2015)

The global distribution of citrus black spot (CBS) disease, caused by Phyllosticta citricarpa, is climatically constrained, which is evident from its occurrence in citrus growing areas with warm, summer rainfall and its absence from areas with cooler, Mediterranean-type winter rainfall. Various epidemiological and modelling studies have supported this observation, predominantly estimating unsuitability for P. citricarpa in Mediterranean type climates, with no more than marginal suitability estimated at a few localities within some regions with Mediterranean type climates. The study by Martínez-Minaya et al. (European Journal of Plant Pathology, 143, 69–83, 2015), describes an historic sequence of recorded CBS occurrence in parts of South Africa, conducts an autocorrelation analysis and a correlative analysis with Köppen-Geiger climate zones and makes observations about the occurrence of certain Köppen-Geiger climate zones in the European Union. The study suggests that significant portions of the European Union and the broader Mediterranean basin are climatically similar to warm, summer rainfall areas in South Africa where P. citricarpa persists and causes CBS disease and concludes that the potential distribution of P. citricarpa is less constrained by climatic factors than spatial contagion. However, in this critique we expose methodological shortcomings in the Martínez-Minaya et al. (European Journal of Plant Pathology, 143, 69–83, 2015) study and conclude that the study grossly overestimated the extent of the geographical area that could support P. citricarpa, thereby rendering the findings scientifically unreliable.     

Challenging the larvae of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Helicoverpa armigera</Emphasis> and assessing the immune responses to nematode-bacterium complex

Helicoverpa armigera is a strong insecticidal resistance developed insect pest. The understanding of its innate immune responses to emerging biocontrol agent entomopathogenic nematode-bacterial complex can provide an opportunity to control this insect in an environmentally benign manner. Study was focused on role of hemocytes changes and PO activity in Steinernema abbasi-Xenorhabdus indica challenged larvae of H. armigera over the time. Total cell count changed effectively from 10.2?±?1.81?×?10⁵ to 15.5?±?3.3?×?10⁵ cells/mm³ upto 9 h and reduced distinctly up to 8.0?±?2.49?×?10⁵ cells/ mm³ in 24 h. PO activity inclined significantly and was recorded highest at 9 h (24.67?±?1.08?×?10² units) and lowest at 24 h (14.34?±?0.74?×?10² units) in total hemolymph with a similar pattern in plasma and the cellular fraction. Phenoloxidase activity in total and cellular component of hemolymph was positively correlated with prohemocytes, granulocytes and oenocytoids. Study showed the hemocytes and PO accounted as active immune responses against nematode infection. The results provide the first insight to understand the hemolytic activity, quick immunosuppression responses of S. abbasi-X. indica and vulnerability of H. armigera.     

Influence of exogenous cholesterol in Pythiaceae resistance to inhibition by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Trichoderma</Emphasis> antibiosis

The purpose of this study was to determine if exogenous cholesterol availability influenced Pythiaceae resistance to antibiosis. Characterisation of an isolate of Phytophthora erythroseptica and Pythium ultimum for tolerance to antibacterial compounds found that 0.05 g.l^?1 chloramphenicol inhibited mycelial growth by 96.6 % and 23.5 % respectively. However, the addition of cholesterol (0.01 g l^?1) to potato dextrose agar (PDA) containing 0.05 g l^?1 chloramphenicol was found to increase mycelial growth of P. erythroseptica, indicating a role for cholesterol in tolerance to inhibitory antibacterial compounds. To determine if this property extended to suppressive effects of a potential biocontrol agent, P. erythroseptica and P. ultimum were then tested against a cell-free filtrate of diffusible metabolites produced by a suppressive Trichoderma harzianum isolate in the presence and absence of cholesterol in PDA. In the absence of cholesterol, diffusible metabolites of the T. harzianum isolate were found to inhibit mycelial growth of P. erythroseptica and P. ultimum on PDA by 98 % and 63.6 % respectively (P?<?0.0001). However, the inhibitory effect of the metabolites was mitigated when 0.005 g l^?1 of cholesterol was present in PDA, with mycelial growth of P. ultimum and P. erythroseptica reduced by only 60.4 % and 41.8 %, respectively (P?<?0.0001), much less inhibition than was observed in the absence of cholesterol. These results demonstrated that access to exogenous cholesterol can influence the sensitivity of Pythiaceae species to antibiosis by positively influencing mycelial growth.     

Comparison among Japanese isolates of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pseudomonas savastanoi</Emphasis> pv. <Emphasis Type="Italic">savastanoi</Emphasis>, causal agent of olive knot disease

Olive knot disease in Japan was first reported in Shizuoka Prefecture in 2014, and the causal agent was identified as Pseudomonas savastanoi pv. savastanoi. Subsequently, olive trees having knots were also found in Aichi and Kanagawa Prefectures in 2015, and the isolates from knots were also suspected to be P. savastanoi pv. savastanoi through preliminary examinations. Therefore, the Aichi and Kanagawa isolates were identified through comparison of isolates from three prefectures. Phylogenic analysis based on 16S rDNA and housekeeping genes (gyrB, rpoD, gltA and gap1) revealed that the isolates belonged to the same cluster as the pathotype strain, ICMP4352^PT. The iaaM, H and L genes, which are involved in promotion of symptoms, and the ina gene coding the ice nucleation protein, were detected by PCR from all the isolates. In rep-PCR (ERIC and REP) analyses, the isolates yielded DNA fragment-banding patterns that were nearly identical to that of ICMP4352^PT, but slight variations in banding patterns were observed among them. In a pathogenicity test, the isolates formed distinct knots on olive and pink jasmine. Phenotypic properties of the isolates were almost identical to those of ICMP4352^PT, with the exception of d-sorbitol utilization. Consequently, Aichi and Kanagawa isolates from olive were identified as P. savastanoi pv. savastanoi, and several genetic diversities in terms of rep-PCR were found in the Japanese population of P. savastanoi pv. savastanoi, indicating their heterogeneity.     

Durantol - a phytosterol antifungal contributor from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Duranta repens</Emphasis> Linn. For organic Management of Sorghum Downy Mildew

Downy mildew of sorghum (DMS) has serious implications agronomically worldwide and to-date the search for a potent fungicide is a high priority and necessity. Phytochemicals have proven to be effective against various plant pathogens with minimal or no side effects. Duranta repens aqueous extract exhibited a promising potential as an organic fungicide for management of sorghum downy mildew (Peronosclerospora sorghi) in greenhouse conditions, at low concentration of 5 %. Activity guided bio-prospecting lead to the isolation of active principle which could control the DMS at as low as 0.1 % concentration. Spectral studies identified the bioactive contributor as a phytosterol namely 16-Hydroxy-8,10,13-trimethyl-1,2,8,10,12,13,14,15-octahydro cyclopenta [a] phenanthren-3-one, designated as Durantol. The results of microscopy exhibited the inhibition of conidial germ-tube growth by formation of bulb-like swellings at the tip, suggesting the mechanism of action of Durantol was via hampering the membrane integrity of the pathogen. Further, the same was virtually predicted using molecular docking for structure-activity relationship (SAR) against four best known membrane receptors namely 1-UDP-glycosyltransferases (UGT), cytochromes P450 (P450), oxidosqualene cyclase (OSC) and serine carboxypeptidase-like acyltransferase (SCPL), proposing that glycosylation onto the membrane would be a reason for inhibition and which is evident from atomic contact energy (ACE) values. The results of the study indicate that, organic management of airborne inoculum of downy mildew of sorghum is feasible and preferable, as compared to the use of chemical fungicides, considering human and environmental health concerns.

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Graphical abstract ?

     

Inhibitory effect of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lycium europaeum</Emphasis> extracts on phytopathogenic soil-borne fungi and the reduction of late wilt in maize

The ability to control soil-borne pathogens in agriculture is highly conditioned by the restricted use of synthetic pesticides. Allelopathy, the antimicrobial activity of plant extracts, is a promising option against crop pathogens. Extracts from Lycium spp. such as L. barbarum, L. chinense and L. intricatum possess biological and therapeutic properties. Individual methanolic extracts from leaves and stems of the Mediterranean medicinal species L. europaeum collected in two locations of Tunisia were each evaluated in vitro against Verticillium dahliae (Vd), Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (Ss) and Harpophora maydis (Hm). The mycelial growth of the three fungi was significantly reduced by all the extracts at doses of 10 and 30 μl mL^?1 (equivalent to 1 and 3 mg plant tissue mL^?1). The sporulation of Hm was almost completely inhibited in all the amendments, but that of Vd was stimulated by one of the leaf extracts when 1 and 3 mg dried plant tissue mL^?1 were used. Sclerotia of Ss were formed in a smaller number, their total weight increasing at extract doses equivalent to 1 mg plant tissue mL^?1 and higher. In greenhouse, the pathogenicity of Hm was confirmed as early as 6 weeks after inoculation, since it caused significant decreases of weights in both roots and aboveground parts of maize. The detrimental effect of Hm on maize root weight in greenhouse was significantly counteracted by one of the leaf extracts added by watering. In total, 11 phenolic compounds were separated in the four extracts. The hydroxycinnamic acid family, including chlorogenic acid as a major compound, represented more than 50% of the total content in all the samples. Rutin was the most abundant flavonoid. The results of this work show the detrimental effect of L. europaeum extracts against the soil-borne pathogens Hm, Ss and Vd, and highlight their potential in crop protection if adequately developed into final products and used in combination with other tools.     

Factors affecting <Emphasis Type="Italic">Neofuscicoccum ribis</Emphasis> infection and disease progression in blueberry

Botryosphaeria stem blight is an economically important disease of blueberry worldwide. In this study, factors affecting inoculum production, infection and disease progression of Neofusicoccum spp. in blueberries were investigated. Under laboratory conditions conidia of the main three Neofusicoccum species (N. australe, N. parvum and N. ribis) were released from pycnidia at 15–30 °C and under relative humidities (RHs) of 80–100%, with greatest numbers released by N. parvum. The greatest numbers of oozing pycnidia and conidial release occurred at higher temperatures (25–30 °C) and RHs (92–100%). Inoculation of green shoots with different N. parvum and N. ribis conidial concentrations (50 μL of 5 × 10⁴?5 × 10⁶ conidia/ mL) caused 100% incidence but lesion lengths increased with increasing concentrations. Wound age affected N. ribis lesion development, with lesions only observed for 0–7-day-old wounds in soft green shoots and 0–4-day-old wounds for both hard green shoots and trunks. Colonisation length decreased with increasing wound age. Lesions developed on wounded shoots when plants were exposed to 20 or 25 °C and 90 or 100% RH during the early infection processes; and in non-wounded shoots spot-like lesions were observed although N. ribis colonised the stem tissue. Seasons (summer, autumn and winter) had no effect on susceptibility of wounded plants to N. ribis. External lesions only developed in summer-inoculated plants and colonisation length was lower in winter-inoculated plants. Information on host and environmental factors that affect disease development determined by the study will be used to inform the development of control strategies.     

Effect of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Metarhizium guizhouense</Emphasis> infection on mating competition and mate choice of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bactrocera latifrons</Emphasis> (Diptera: Tephritidae)

Metarhizium guizhouense PSUM02 treated males of Bactrocera latifrons were investigated for the mating competition among males and mating choice by female flies to develop an auto-dissemination for the control of B. latifrons. In the present study, on day 1–4 of experiment, M. guizhouense–treated male flies were equally competitive with the normal male flies as we did not observe any differences in mating by treated and normal male flies of B. latifrons. Further, mating competitiveness were found low in treated adult male B. latifrons than normal male B. latifrons from 5th days of treatment until death. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis of treated male flies gave average survival times (AST) of 4.3?±?0.1 days, while the healthy female and male flies in the same cage showed AST of 9.3?±?0.3 and 8.3?±?0.4 days, respectively. The AST of untreated flies in control experiment ranged from 14.2–14.5 days. In mating preference experiment, M. guizhouense–treated male flies were chosen by virgin female than gravid female flies for mating. The treated male flies caused mortality in both virgin and gravid female flies in the same cage with AST of 4.4?±?0.1, 5.6?±?0.1 and 7.4?±?0.2 days, respectively, while untreated flies showed AST ranged from 13.9–14.3 days in control. The treated male flies could transmit the fungus infection to both untreated female and male flies as well as in virgin and gravid female flies by mating and contact. Our experiments showed the potentiality of M. guizhouense PSUM02 in management of B. latifrons by auto-dissemination with treated male flies, which transmit the fungus to a healthy population to reduce insect pest infestations.