Endophytically colonized Citrus limon seedlings by Beauveria bassiana hampered development, reproduction and progeny fitness of Diaphorina citri

In response to mitigating the negative impacts of synthetic insecticides in controlling Diaphorina citri, the main vector of Huanglongbing, we assessed the effects of endophytically colonized Citrus limon seedlings by Beauveria bassiana BB-16 on the population fitness of D. citri using the age-stage two-sex life-table theory. The mean fecundity (F) and reproductive rate (R-0) of the F1 generation of D. citri reared on endophytically colonized plants (F = 121.7; R-0 = 30.43) were significantly lower than the endophyte-free plants (F = 438; R-0 = 197.1). In addition, the values of finite rate of increase (lambda) and intrinsic rate of increase (r) on endophytically colonized plants (lambda = 1.0927 day(-1); r = 0.0887 day(-1)), were significantly lower than the endophytes free plants (lambda = 1.1528 day(-1); r = 0.1422 day(-1)). Moreover, the pre-adult survival rate (s(a)) on endophytically colonized plants (s(a) = 37.5%) was significantly lower than the endophyte-free plants (s(a) = 75%). Our results demonstrate that B. bassiana BB-16 established as endophyte in C. limon under controlled conditions, reduced the population fitness of D. citri progeny and highlight the potential of integrating this entomopathogenic fungus as endophyte for sustainable management of D. citri and other citrus pests in citrus orchards.