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Title: EFFECTS OF MYCOTOXINS, KOJIC ACID AND OXALIC ACID, ON BIOLOGICAL FITNESS OF LYGUS HESPERUS (HETEROPTERA: MIRIDAE)

Author
item Alverson, Janet

Submitted to: Journal of Invertebrate Pathology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/28/2003
Publication Date: 2/28/2003
Citation: ALVERSON, J. Effects of Mycotoxins, Kojic Acid and Oxalic Acid, on Biological Fitness of Lygus hesperus (Heteroptera: Miridae). JOURNAL OF INVERTEBRATE PATHOLOGY. 2003. v. 83. p. 60-62.

Interpretive Summary: Mycotoxins are produced by many species of fungi and may have toxic effects on some insect species. Aspergillus niger is a common contaminant in insectaries and has been previously shown by this laboratory to have detrimental effects on the Western Tarnished Plant Bug, Lygus hesperus Knight (Heteroptera: Miridae). We examined the effects of mycotoxins kojic acid and oxalic acid when inoculated into an artificial diet for L. hesperus. Kojic acid and oxalic acid were found to have detrimental effects on the insect, suggesting that the mycotoxins may be partially responsible for the toxic effects of A. niger on L. hesperus. This research is of benefit to the insect rearing community and entomologists interested in fungal pathogenesis in insects.

Technical Abstract: Mycotoxins kojic acid and oxalic acid are produced by many species of fungi, including Aspergillus niger, a common contaminant in insectaries. It has been previously shown by this laboratory to have detrimental effects on the biological fitness of Lygus hesperus Knight (Heteroptera: Miridae). We examined the effects of kojic acid and oxalic acid on biological fitness of L. hesperus when inoculated into an artificial diet for the insect. Biological fitness was defined as total number of surviving adults, mean biomass (dry weight) accumulated per cage over the total test period, egg production, time to adult emergence, and time to the beginning of egg laying. Kojic acid and oxalic acid were found to have detrimental effects on most of the measurements of biological fitness, suggesting that the mycotoxins may be partially responsible for the toxic effects of A. niger on L. hesperus