Studying the ecology of biocontrol-agents is a prerequisite to effectively control medfly (Ceratitis capitata (Diptera: Tephritidae)) with entomopathogenic fungi. In this context, factors affecting the occurrence and distribution of medfly-associated entomopathogenic-fungi were studied. Soil samples (22) were collected from natural and cultivated areas of Souss-region Morocco. A total of 260 fungal isolates belonging to 22 species and 10 genera were obtained by using medfly pupae as bait. Medfly-associated fungi were detected in all studied soils and pupae infection percentages ranged from 3.33% to 48%. Two genera, Fusarium and Beauveria were the most frequent with 83 isolates (32%) and 50 isolates (19.23%) respectively. Pathogenicity test of isolated species against medfly pupae showed high mortality rates up to 91% for some strains. Principal component analysis (PCA) demonstrated a strong influence of origin, physical, and chemical properties of soil on the abundance of these fungi. In general, medfly-associated fungi were more abundant in soils with moderate pH (7.5 to 8) having high sand and organic content. High relative humidity negatively influenced the abundance of these fungi. Both factors directly affected the fungal infection percentages in pupae. The response of fungi to these parameters varied among species. According to principal component analysis (PCA), the soils of argan fields and forests were more suitable for the development of medfly-associated fungi than citrus orchards. These results guide identifying suitable soils for the effective application of entomopathogenic fungi as biological control agents. In summary, isolated indigenous strains seem to be a promising option to control C. capitata.

中文翻译：

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摩洛哥摩洛哥坚果森林及附近地区与地中海果蝇（Ceratitis headata（双翅目：实蝇科））相关的昆虫病原真菌的多样性：土壤因素对其分布的影响


研究生物防治剂的生态学是有效控制昆虫病原真菌地中海实蝇（双翅目：实蝇科）的先决条件。在此背景下，研究了影响地中海果蝇相关昆虫病原真菌发生和分布的因素。土壤样本 (22) 采集自摩洛哥苏斯地区的自然和耕地。以地中海果蝇蛹为饵料，共分离到10属22种260株真菌。在所有研究的土壤中均检测到与地中海果蝇相关的真菌，蛹感染百分比范围为 3.33% 至 48%。镰刀菌属和白僵菌属两个属最常见，分别有 83 个分离株（32%）和 50 个分离株（19.23%）。分离物种对地中海果蝇蛹的致病性测试显示，某些菌株的死亡率高达 91%。主成分分析（PCA）表明土壤的起源、物理和化学特性对这些真菌的丰度有很大影响。一般来说，地中海果蝇相关真菌在pH值适中（7.5至8）、沙子和有机物含量高的土壤中更为丰富。高相对湿度对这些真菌的丰度产生负面影响。这两个因素都直接影响蛹中的真菌感染百分比。真菌对这些参数的反应因物种而异。根据主成分分析（PCA），摩洛哥坚果田和森林的土壤比柑橘园更适合地中海果蝇相关真菌的生长。这些结果指导确定适合昆虫病原真菌作为生物防治剂的有效应用的土壤。总之，分离的本土菌株似乎是控制 C. headata 的一个有前途的选择。