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. 2021 May;11(5):223.
doi: 10.1007/s13205-021-02760-5. Epub 2021 Apr 18.

Comparative study of the ditrophic interaction between Beauveria bassiana and Plutella xylostella

P R Nithya  1 , S Manimegalai  2 , S Nakkeeran  3 , S Mohankumar  3
Affiliations

Comparative study of the ditrophic interaction between Beauveria bassiana and Plutella xylostella

P R Nithya et al. 3 Biotech. 2021 May.

Abstract

In the present investigation, hyperparasitic interaction between B. bassiana, TM (MH590235) and P. xylostella was studied through scanning electron microscopy and chromatographic techniques. Dose-mortality responses showed an increase in mortality of larva with an increase in spore concentration. The LC50 value for B. bassiana isolate TM (MH590235) was 2.4 × 107 spores mL-1. The ditrophic interaction between B. bassiana and P. xylostella after 24 h revealed the adherence of conidia on stemmata, sensory setae, maxillary palpi and legs. After 48 h post-infection (hpi), germination of the conidia and appressorium formation was observed. Formation of hyphae and initiation of fungal networking was observed at 72 hpi. Complete ramification by mycelia and conidiogenesis of B. bassiana was observed over the mycosed cadaver after 168 hpi. Subsequently, typical sympodial conidiophores of B. bassiana bearing secondary spores were also observed. The metabolome profile of healthy larvae of P. xylostella revealed the presence of non-volatile organic compounds (NVOCs) like docosene, nonadecene, palmitic acid and heneicosane. However, the NVOC profile was different in the P. xylostella larvae hyperparasitized by B. bassiana. The metabolites present in the infected cadaver were phthalate esters, hydroxyquebrachamine and lactones.

Keywords: Diamondback moth; Entomopathogenic fungi; Infection process; Metabolomic analysis; Scanning electron microscopy.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of interestAuthors declare that they have no conflict of interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Dose–mortality responses of Plutella xylostella treated with different spore concentrations of Beauveria bassiana (MH590235)
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
SEM images of Plutella xylostella larvae infected with Beauveria bassiana (24 h post-infection). a Adherence of conidia on the peripheral region of stemmata. b Numerous conidia over the head capsule. c Chaeta in labrum harbouring conidia (arrow). d Maxillary palpi showing conidia attached to base. e Close-up of the former showing conidia. f Cuticle ornamentations harbouring conidia. g Tibia and tarsus of foreleg showing conidia
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
SEM images of Plutella xylostella infected with Beauveria bassiana (48 h post-infection). a Stemmata showing germinating conidia. b Close-up of germinating conidia with peculiar appressoria formation and bipolar germination of conidia (arrowhead). c Mouth cavity showing germinating conidia. d Mature septate (circle) appressoria near setal alveoli. e Germlings of B. bassiana attached to the spines in claws. f Base of prolegs showing conidial germlings
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
SEM images of Plutella xylostella infected with Beauveria bassiana (72 h post-infection). a Development of hyphae from appressoria adjacent to stemmata. b Details of the former showing developing hyphae from appressoria. c Multiple penetration sites (circles) and intercalary appressoria (arrowhead) on insect cuticle. d Hyphal fusion (circle) indicating asexual development of the fungus and intercalary appressorium near setal socket (circle) and conidia with short germ tubes (arrowheads). e Germinating conidia with elongated appressoria. f Possible penetration near setal socket. g Point of penetration over cuticle
Fig. 5
Fig. 5
SEM images of Plutella xylostella infested with Beauveria bassiana (120 h post-infection). a Initiation of hyphal growth near mouth cavity. b Hyphal extrusion (arrowhead) through setal alveoli and stemmatal margin. c Tarsi with developing hyphae. d Base of prolegs (crotchets) with clustered conidia and developing hyphae
Fig. 6
Fig. 6
SEM images of Plutella xylostella infected with Beauveria bassiana (168 h post-infection). (A) Mouth cavity with abundant conidia and mycelial growth. (B) Setal sockets with spores. (C) Emergence of mycelia (arrowheads) from the fully infected cadaver. (D) Detail of typical characteristics of B. bassiana growth, conidia borne on zigzag rachis on conidiophores (arrowheads). (E) Extensive growth of mycelia in prolegs. (F) Detail of former depicting spores clustered in the crotchets. (G) Close-up of claws of forelegs showing hyphae and conidia. (H) Full view of the larva showing complete mycelial networking
Fig. 7
Fig. 7
GC–MS chromatogram of non-volatile organic compounds derived from Beauveria bassiana-infected cadaver of Plutella
Fig. 8
Fig. 8
GC–MS chromatogram of non-volatile organic compounds derived from healthy larvae of Plutella xylostella
Fig. 9
Fig. 9
Hierarchical clustering of metabolites of healthy and Beauveria bassiana-infected larvae of Plutella xylostella
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