title: Spatial and taxonomical overlap of fungi on phylloplanes and invasive alien ladybirds with fungal infections in tree crowns of urban green spaces.
abstract: Occurrence of entomopathogenic fungi on phylloplanes in Tilia × europaea crowns between 1 and 13 m was assessed in urban parks. Prevalence of fungal infections in ladybirds (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) collected from Tilia × europaea was assessed to determine whether fungi found on phylloplanes also occurred as infections in ladybirds. Isaria spp. was most abundant on phylloplanes (mean colony forming units (CFU) per leaf ± SE, 0.33 ± 0.03) followed by Beauveria spp. (0.22 ± 0.02 CFU per leaf) and Lecanicillium spp. (0.19 ± 0.02 CFU per leaf). Densities of inoculum were higher in inner crowns and decreased with height, although Lecanicillium spp. peaked at 5-7 m. Upper phylloplane surfaces harboured higher densities of Isaria spp. and Beauveria spp. than lower surfaces, whereas Lecanicillium spp. was equally distributed. Most prevalent on ladybirds were Isaria spp. (20.6% Harmonia axyridis; 4.8% natives), Lecanicillium spp. (13.6% H. axyridis; 4.8% natives), with fewer Beauveria spp. infections (2.6% H. axyridis). Molecular identification revealed Beauveria bassiana, B. pseudobassiana, Isaria farinosa and Lecanicillium muscarium among isolates of both tree and ladybird origin. Tilia × europaea phylloplanes support a diverse assemblage of entomopathogenic fungal species with a different prevalence in coccinellids compared to their relative abundance in this habitat.
authors.affiliation: Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management, University of Copenhagen, Rolighedsvej 23, DK-1958 Frederiksberg C, Denmark andy@ign.ku.dk.
authors.forename: Andy G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Howe
authors.affiliation: Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management, University of Copenhagen, Rolighedsvej 23, DK-1958 Frederiksberg C, Denmark.
authors.forename: Hans Peter
authors.initials: HP
authors.lastname: Ravn
authors.affiliation: Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Thorvaldsensvej 40, DK-1871 Frederiksberg C, Denmark.
authors.forename: Annette B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Jensen
authors.affiliation: Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Thorvaldsensvej 40, DK-1871 Frederiksberg C, Denmark.
authors.forename: Nicolai V
authors.initials: NV
authors.lastname: Meyling
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D052982:Beauveria / Q000302:isolation & purification; D001517:Coleoptera / Q000382:microbiology*; D017753:Ecosystem; D005658:Fungi / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006999:Hypocreales / Q000302:isolation & purification; D058865:Introduced Species; D000068316:Parks, Recreational; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000382:microbiology; D032384:Tilia / Q000382:microbiology*; D014197:Trees / Q000382:microbiology
keywords: Beauveria; Harmonia axyridis; Isaria farinosa; Lecanicillium; Phylloplane imprinting; urban parks