The roles of entomopathogenic fungal infection of viruliferous whiteflies in controlling tomato yellow leaf curl virus

Abstract

Efforts to control plant viral diseases have mainly focused on chemical control of their vectors and the development of plant resistance. However, the development of pesticide resistance in many vectors has meant that other vector control options such as the utilization of entomopathogens are receiving increasing attention. Entomopathogens may have the added benefit of suppressing viruses in vectors as well as killing the vectors, although this effect needs further testing under field conditions. Here, we pursue this idea by focusing on the entomopathogenic fungus Isaria javanica, isolated from Q type Bemisia tabaci (whitefly), which is considered the main vector of Tomato yellow leaf curl v..