Abstract The cat flea, Ctenocephalides felis (Bouche) (Siphonaptera: Pulicidae), is the most important ectoparasite of domestic pets. Its control is mainly based on chemical insecticides. In this study, the potential of fungi and nematodes to control this pest was evaluated. The various life stages of the cat flea were exposed to several variables: strains and species of entomopathogenic nematodes and fungi at different ambient temperatures and levels of relative humidity (RH), as well as in\on filter paper, sand or carpet as substrates. The nematode Steinernema feltiae (Nematoda: Steinernematidae) was most virulent against flea larvae, cocoons and adults, and the nematode Heterorhabditis bacteriophora Poinar (Rhabditida: Heterorhabditidae) was highly effective against flea cocoons on all substrates evaluated. Overall, the nematodes were most effective at 28o C and 95% RH. The fungus Metarhizium robertsii 2575 (Bischoff) (Hypocreales: Clavicipitaceae), was highly virulent against adult fleas. Flea eggs were resistant to both nematodes and the fungus evaluated. The results indicate high potential for use of microbial control agents against cat fleas. While the fungus, M. robertsii, could be effective in killing adult fleas on infested vertebrates, the nematodes S. feltiae and H. bacteriophora could be successful in controlling pre-imaginal stages on the soil.

中文翻译：

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昆虫病原线虫和真菌对猫蚤的生物防治，Ctenocephalides felis

摘要 猫蚤Ctenocephalides felis (Bouche) (Siphonaptera: Pulicidae) 是家养宠物最重要的体外寄生虫。其防治主要以化学杀虫剂为主。在这项研究中，评估了真菌和线虫控制这种害虫的潜力。猫蚤的不同生命阶段暴露于几个变量中：在不同环境温度和相对湿度 (RH) 水平下的昆虫病原线虫和真菌的菌株和种类，以及作为基材的滤纸、沙子或地毯。线虫 Steinernema Feeliae (Nematoda: Steinernematidae) 对跳蚤幼虫、茧和成虫的毒性最强，而线虫 Heterorhabditis bacteriophora Poinar (Rhabditida: Heterorhabditidae) 对所有评估基质上的跳蚤茧都非常有效。全面的，线虫在 28o C 和 95% RH 下最有效。真菌绿僵菌 robertsii 2575 (Bischoff) (Hypocreales: Clavicipitaceae) 对成年跳蚤有很强的毒性。跳蚤卵对线虫和所评估的真菌均具有抗性。结果表明使用微生物控制剂对抗猫蚤的潜力很大。虽然真菌 M. robertsii 可有效杀死受感染脊椎动物的成年跳蚤，但线虫 S. Feeliae 和 H. bacteriophora 可成功控制土壤上的前成虫阶段。