Impact of Plant Symbiotic Endophytic Fungus, Aspergillus terreus on Insect Herbivore Spodoptera litura (Fabricius) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae).

Herbivorous insects are known to be resistant to fungal endophytes that asymptomatically inhabit plant tissues. The insecticidal ability of the endophytic fungus Aspergillus terreus isolated from Catharanthus roseus against Spodoptera litura (Fabricius) was assessed in the current study. The survival and growth of S. litura were adversely impacted by the ethyl acetate extract of endophytic A. terreus. Fungal extract supplemented diet caused 14 to 94% larval mortality in comparison to 2% in control. Additionally, retarded insect growth was observed after ingestion of supplemented diet. The fungal metabolites were also observed to have an inhibitory influence on the adult emergence and reproductive potential of adults. Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of phenolic compounds in the crude extract of endophytic fungus which may be responsible for toxicity. It was also determined how endophyte-infected cauliflower plants affected S. litura's survival and growth. Endophyte-infected plants exhibited resistance to S. litura by causing 54% larval mortality and delaying development by 5.2 days. In comparison to uninfected plants, adult emergence, lifespan, fecundity and egg hatchability of insects was significantly decreased on infected plants. There was a significant decrease in relative growth and consumption rates as well as in the efficiency of food conversion, which indicates toxic and antifeedant effect of the fungus on S. litura. This suggests that endophyte-inoculated plants exhibit antibiosis against S. litura. In conclusion, the endophytic fungi having insecticidal activity could be used to develop alternative ecologically safe control strategies.