Identification of entomopathogenic fungi isolated from some thrips associated with crop plants in Ilam County, west of Iran

Document Type : Short paper

Authors

1 Department of Plant Protection, College of Agriculture, Ilam University, Ilam, Iran

2 Department of Plant Protection, College of Agriculture, Razi University, Kermanshah, Iran

3 Agricultural Jihad Organization of Ilam Province, Ilam, Iran

Abstract

Due to the polyphagous and omnivorous nature of thrips (Thysanoptera), the host plants attacked by these insects are very diverse, and some of them are also considered important economic pests of various crops. In order to the integrated pest management of these pests and reducing the frequency of using chemical insecticides, the use of biological agents, especially entomopathogenic fungi, can be an important and promising solution. In this regard, the initial step in utilizing these microbial control agents is to identify native species and strains. In this study, entomopathogenic fungi were isolated and identified from some thrips associated with crop plants in Ilam County during 2024-2025. In total, seven fungal species associated with thrips were isolated and identified, including Alternaria alternate (Fr.), Penicillium antarcticum Hocking & McRae, Beauveria bassiana (Bals.Criv.), Chaetomium elatum Kunze, Aspergillus niger Tiegh and Aspergillus nomius Kurtzman and Fusarium sp. Among the above isolates, the most abundant was B. bassiana. All identified species are reported for the first time as enthomopathogenic fungus associated with thrips in Iran. This initial study highlights the necessity for further research to thoroughly assess the pathogenicity of these fungi

Keywords

References

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Plant Pest Research
Volume 16, Issue 1
June 2026
Pages 75-79

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History

  • Receive Date: 13 May 2026
  • Revise Date: 26 May 2026
  • Accept Date: 26 May 2026

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