Prevalence of an entomopathogenic fungus Hirsutella citriformis on Leucaena psyllid Heteropsylla cubana in Malaysia

Ahmad Said Sajap, . Prevalence of an entomopathogenic fungus Hirsutella citriformis on Leucaena psyllid Heteropsylla cubana in Malaysia. pp. 95-99. ISSN 0126-6128

The leucaena psyllid Heteropsylla cubana Crawford (Homoptera: Psyllidae) is a serious exotic pest of Leucaena leucocephala (Lam.) (Leguminosae) in Southeast Asia Pacific Islands Hawaii and Australia. Even though the insect is already widespread throughout Malaysia no information on the entomopathogens associated with this pest has been recorded. This study reports for the first time the occurrence of an entomopathogenic fungus Hirsutella citriformis Speare (Deuteromycotina: Hyphomycetes) on the leucaena psyllid H. cubana in Malaysia. Results from monthly sampling of the psyllid over a period of one year established that the leucaena psyllid H. cubana was susceptible to infection by the fungus H. citriformis. Dead psyllids were found mummified and cemented by cream-coloured mycelia to the leaves and branches of the leucaena plant. The results also showed that adult psyllids were more prone to fungal infection than nymphs. The adult population had an average infection rate of about 20 while nymphs had an infection rate of less than 2.

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Abstract

The leucaena psyllid Heteropsylla cubana Crawford (Homoptera: Psyllidae) is a serious exotic pest of Leucaena leucocephala (Lam.) (Leguminosae) in Southeast Asia Pacific Islands Hawaii and Australia. Even though the insect is already widespread throughout Malaysia no information on the entomopathogens associated with this pest has been recorded. This study reports for the first time the occurrence of an entomopathogenic fungus Hirsutella citriformis Speare (Deuteromycotina: Hyphomycetes) on the leucaena psyllid H. cubana in Malaysia. Results from monthly sampling of the psyllid over a period of one year established that the leucaena psyllid H. cubana was susceptible to infection by the fungus H. citriformis. Dead psyllids were found mummified and cemented by cream-coloured mycelia to the leaves and branches of the leucaena plant. The results also showed that adult psyllids were more prone to fungal infection than nymphs. The adult population had an average infection rate of about 20 while nymphs had an infection rate of less than 2.

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Item Type:	Article
AGROVOC Term:	Heteropsylla cubana
AGROVOC Term:	Leucaena leucocephala
AGROVOC Term:	Psyllids
AGROVOC Term:	Perennial crops
AGROVOC Term:	Insect pests
AGROVOC Term:	On-farm research
AGROVOC Term:	Weather data
AGROVOC Term:	Infection
AGROVOC Term:	Fungus control (diseases)
AGROVOC Term:	Microbial insecticides
Geographical Term:	Malaysia
Depositing User:	Ms. Suzila Mohamad Kasim
Last Modified:	27 Apr 2025 23:31
URI:	http://webagris.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/22756

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