Cordyceps sp. WZFW1, a novel entomopathogenic fungus to control Ectropis grisescens (Lepidoptera: Geometridae).

Ectropis grisescens is a notorious pest in tea plantations. The control of E. grisescens relies on synesthetic pesticides but the resurgence is always accompanied by increasing resistance. Therefore, it is crucial to use biological control to reduce the damage caused by E. grisescens. Here, we collected soil from a tea plantation, used Galleria mellonella as a bait insect and successfully isolated one entomopathogenic fungus. The isolated colony was initially identified as Cordyceps sp. using morphological observation. ITS‐rDNA sequence amplification and sequencing, molecular database comparisons, and phylogenetic analysis proved this fungus as a new species and thus named Cordyceps sp. WZFW1. Further virulence test of Cordyceps sp. WZFW1 against E. grisescens was evaluated under laboratory conditions. Lethal concentration was 5.74 × 106 spore/mL with a confidence level of 2.32 × 106 ~ 1.79 × 107 and lethal time was 2.98 days at 108 spore/mL and 7.47 days at 107 spore/mL, indicating Cordyceps sp. WZFW1 was effective at controlling E. grisescens. Our findings are significant as they contribute to the application of new entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) species as biocontrol agents, promoting eco‐friendly pest management practices. Research Highlights: A novel species, Cordyceps sp. WZFW1, was isolated from soil in a tea plantation in China. Cordyceps sp. WZFW1 caused up to 79% mortality to second‐instar Ectropis grisescens larvae after 7‐day treatment, indicating its potential in E. grisescens control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]