Interazioni tra funghi del genere Trichoderma e Myzus persiaceae (Hemiptera: Aphidioidea) per l'individuazione di nuove strategie di controllo biologico

Aphids (Hemiptera: Aphidoidea) are among the most important pests of crop plants. Laboratory trials have shown that fungi belonging to the genus Trichoderma can affect different traits of aphid biology by direct contact and/or by their metabolites. The tests were carried out utilizing aphids of the species Myzus persicae, a cosmopolitan and polyphagous aphid. The fungal strain Trichoderma harzianum ITEM 908 showed a noteworthy entomopathogenic activity, resulting in statistically significant decreasing of aphid survival. A greater sensitivity of the alate morphs, responsible of the dispersion and colonization of new crops, has been detected. Novel strategies of containment of damage by aphid include the use of natural compounds that are able to interfere with the processes of host plant selection. The isolates T. harzianum ITEM 908 and T. citrinoviride ITEM 4484 showed antifeedant activity towards M. persicae. These results open new perspectives on the use of fungal compounds or derived molecules for the control of aphid pests in crops.