Diversity of Linear Non-Ribosomal Peptide in Biocontrol Fungi

Biocontrol fungi (BFs) play a key role in regulation of pest populations. BFs produce multiple non-ribosomal peptides (NRPs) and other secondary metabolites that interact with pests, plants and microorganisms. NRPs—including linear and cyclic peptides (L-NRPs and C-NRPs)—are small peptides frequently containing special amino acids and other organic acids. They are biosynthesized in fungi through non-ribosomal peptide synthases (NRPSs). Compared with C-NRPs, L-NRPs have simpler structures, with only a linear chain and biosynthesis without cyclization. BFs mainly include entomopathogenic and mycoparasitic fungi, that are used to control insect pests and phytopathogens in fields, respectively. NRPs play an important role of in the interactions of BFs with insects or phytopathogens. On the other hand, the residues of NRPs may contaminate food through BFs activities in the environment. In recent decades, C-NRPs in BFs have been thoroughly reviewed. However, L-NRPs are rarely investigated. In order to better understand the species and potential problems of L-NRPs in BFs, this review lists the L-NRPs from entomopathogenic and mycoparasitic fungi, summarizes their sources, structures, activities and biosynthesis, and details risks and utilization prospects

Revision of the xyleborine ambrosia beetle genus Microperus Wood, 1980 (Curculionidae, Scolytinae, Xyleborini) of Thailand with four new species and four newly recorded species

Microperus Wood, 1980 ambrosia beetles in Thailand are reviewed. Four species, M. bidentatus sp. nov., M. bucolicus sp. nov., M. globodeclivis sp. nov., and M. serratus sp. nov. are described. Four new combinations are given: Microperus armaticeps (Schedl, 1942) comb. nov., Microperus exsculptus (Eggers, 1927) comb. nov., Microperus pedellus (Schedl, 1969) comb. nov., and Microperus spicatulus (Browne, 1986) comb. nov., stat. res., all from Xyleborus. Two new synonyms are proposed: Microperus cruralis (Schedl, 1975) (= Xyleborus myllus Browne, 1986 syn. nov.), Microperus exsculptus (Eggers, 1927) (= Xyleborus dentipennis Browne, 1983 syn. nov.). Four species are reported from Thailand for the first time: Microperus chrysophylli (Eggers, 1930), Microperus exsculptus, Microperus nanus (Browne, 1949) and Microperus quercicola (Eggers, 1926). With the inclusion of the Microperus species described and recorded herein, the diversity of Microperus is increased to 35 species, of which 18 are recorded in Thailand. An updated key to the Microperus of the Indochinese Peninsula and China is provided. The taxonomy, diagnostic characters, and distribution of species are briefly discussed

New species of Myrmosinae (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) from Southeastern Asia

Williams, Kevin A., Lelej, Arkady S., Thaochan, Narit (2019): New species of Myrmosinae (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) from Southeastern Asia. Zootaxa 4656 (3): 525-534, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4656.3.

Morphological and Phylogenetic Evidences Reveal <i>Lasiodiplodia chonburiensis</i> and <i>L. theobromae</i> Associated with Leaf Blight in <i>Hevea brasiliensis</i> in Southern Thailand

The rubber tree is an important economic tree in Thailand. Recently, the cultivation of rubber trees in Thailand has suffered from a novel leaf fall disease with diverse symptoms, including leaf spot and leaf blight, resulting in severe leaf defoliation. Fungi from the Lasiodiplodia genus, which causes leaf disease in rubber trees, have not been reported in Thailand. Our research aimed to identify Lasiodiplodia associated with leaf blight disease in Thailand by examining morphological characteristics and completing a multi-gene sequence analysis and pathogenicity test to fulfill Koch’s postulates. The internal transcribed spacer regions, translation elongation factor 1-α, and β tubulin 2 were sequenced for the multi-gene sequence analysis. In total, we recovered 14 isolates with 6 of those isolates. Of the six pathogenetic isolates, LST001, LST002, LYT003, LSrt001, and LSrt002 were determined to be Lasiodiplodia chonburiensis, and isolate LYL005 was determined to be L. theobromae. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of L. chonburiensis and L. theobromae being associated with leaf blight disease in rubber trees in Thailand or elsewhere

Morphological and Molecular Characterization of Calonectria foliicola Associated with Leaf Blight on Rubber Tree (Hevea brasiliensis) in Thailand

Leaf blight is commonly observed in rubber trees (Hevea brasiliensis) and can be caused by several fungal species. From October to December 2021, the emergence rubber tree disease was observed in Krabi province, southern Thailand. Small brown to dark brown spots developed on the leaves of rubber trees and later expanded into most parts of the leaves. Fungal isolates were isolated from infected tissues and a total of 15 Calonectria-like isolates were recovered from 10 infected leaf samples. Pathogenicity testing using the agar plug method revealed that four isolates caused leaf blight on rubber tree, similar to the situation in natural infections. Based on morphological study and the molecular properties of internal transcribed spacer (ITS), calmodulin (cal), translation elongation factor 1-&alpha; (tef1-&alpha;), and &beta;-tubulin 2 (tub2) sequences, the four fungal isolates were identified as Calonectria foliicola. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of rubber trees pas a new host for C. foliicola in Thailand and elsewhere. This study reports on an emerging disease affecting rubber trees in Thailand, and the results are of benefit for the development of an appropriate method to manage this emerging disease in Thailand

Three new species and one new country record of velvet ants (Hymenoptera, Mutillidae) from Thailand

Three new species of velvet ants known from females are here described: Mickelomyrme leleji Sittichaya & Williams, sp. nov., Nordeniella dokbua Sittichaya & Williams, sp. nov., and Smicromyrme songkhwae Sittichaya & Williams, sp. nov. One additional species is newly recorded from Thailand: Bischoffitilla selangorensis (Pagden). Synoptic list of Mutillidae in Thailand Natural History Museum with new records is given

FIGURES 107–114 in The female velvet ants (aka modkhong) of southern Thailand (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae), with a key to the genera of southeast Asia

FIGURES 107–114. Mutillinae: Smicromyrmini females VI. 107–110. Smicromyrme triguttatus. 111–114. S. thaochani, sp. nov.; 107, 111. Habitus, dorsal view; 108, 112. Habitus, lateral view; 109, 113. T6; 110, 114. Face view

Volatile Organic Compound from Trichoderma asperelloides TSU1: Impact on Plant Pathogenic Fungi

Soil microorganisms are well studied for their beneficial effects on plant growth and their impact on biocontrol agents. The production of volatile antifungal compounds emitted from soil fungi is considered to be an effective ability that can be applied in biofumigants in the control of plant diseases. A soil fungus, Trichoderma asperelloides TSU1, was isolated from flamingo flower cultivated soil and identified on the basis of the morphology and molecular analysis of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS), rpb2, and tef1-α genes. To test T. asperelloides TSU1-produced volatile organic compounds (VOCs) with antifungal activity, the sealed plate method was used. The VOCs of T. asperelloides TSU1 inhibited the mycelial growth of fungal pathogens that were recently reported as emerging diseases in Thailand, namely, Corynespora cassiicola, Fusarium incarnatum, Neopestalotiopsis clavispora, N. cubana, and Sclerotium rolfsii, with a percentage inhibition range of 38.88–68.33%. Solid-phase microextraction (SPME) was applied to trap VOCs from T. asperelloides TSU1 and tentatively identify them through gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC/MS). A total of 17 compounds were detected in the VOCs of T. asperelloides TSU1, and the dominant compounds were identified as fluoro(trinitro)methane (18.192% peak area) and 2-phenylethanol (9.803% peak area). Interestingly, the commercial 2-phenyethanol showed antifungal activity against fungal pathogens that were similar to the VOCs of T. asperelloides TSU1 by bioassay. On the basis of our study’s results, T. asperelloides TSU1 isolated from soil displayed antifungal abilities via the production of VOCs responsible for restricting pathogen growth

FIGURES 86–94 in The female velvet ants (aka modkhong) of southern Thailand (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae), with a key to the genera of southeast Asia

FIGURES 86–94. Mutillinae: Smicromyrmini females IV. 86–91. Mickelomyrme puttasoki, sp. nov.; 92–94. M. kinguri, sp. nov. 86, 89, 90, 92. Habitus, dorsal view; 87, 91, 93. Habitus, lateral view; 88, 94. T6

FIGURES 48–55 in The female velvet ants (aka modkhong) of southern Thailand (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae), with a key to the genera of southeast Asia

FIGURES 48–55. Mutillinae: Ctenotillini females. 48–51. Ctenotilla guangdongensis; 52–55. Zeugomutilla saepes. 48, 52. Habitus, dorsal view; 49, 53. Habitus, lateral view; 50, 54. Face view; 51, 55. T6