Levantamento de fungos entomopatogênicos e acaropatogênicos em agroecossistemas amazônicos

Abstract

Biological control has been consolidated as an ecologically sustainable strategy within integrated pest management, based on the use of natural enemies such as entomopathogenic and acaropathogenic fungi. These microorganisms, commonly found in soil, exhibit high diversity and the ability to cause lethal infections in insects and mites, significantly contributing to the population regulation of target organisms. Despite the remarkable biodiversity of the Amazon biome, studies on the occurrence and diversity of these fungi in the region remain scarce. In this context, the present study aimed to survey entomopathogenic and acaropathogenic fungi associated with Amazonian agroecosystems, in order to expand knowledge about their occurrence and potential application in biological control. For this purpose, collections and isolations of dead insects and mites with typical symptoms of fungal infection were carried out, from which fungal strains with promising morphological characteristics were identified. The results revealed a significant diversity of fungal genera, with incidence varying throughout the sampling period and being correlated with climatic factors such as temperature, relative humidity, and precipitation. The identification of the most recurrent species contributed to the characterization of the local entomopathogenic and acaropathogenic diversity, highlighting the potential of these organisms as biological control agents in sustainable agricultural systems. The data obtained provide relevant support for the development of biotechnological strategies applied to integrated pest management in the Amazon region.