02023naa a2200217 a 450000100080000000500110000800800410001902400540006010000230011424501760013726000090031350000610032252012330038365300200161665300270163665300280166365300340169170000200172570000170174577300430176221816852025-11-19       2025    bl uuuu     u00u1 u    #d7 ahttps://doi.org/10.1016/j.cropro.2025.1073612DOI1 aOLIVEIRA, C. M. de  aDoes Beauveria bassiana infection in Dalbulus maidis reduce the transmission of phytoplasma and spiroplasma and the severity of corn stunt diseases?h[electronic resource]  c2025  aNa publicação: Charles Martins Oliveira; Marcos Faria.  aThe corn leafhopper Dalbulus maidis is considered one of the most significant maize pests in Latin America. This insect efficiently transmits plant pathogens—including corn stunt spiroplasma, maize bushy stunt phytoplasma, and viruses—responsible for the corn stunt diseases complex, which causes substantial grain yield losses. Entomopathogenic fungi can infect D. maidis and disrupt its probing behavior, potentially reducing pathogen transmission in maize. In this study, it was evaluated the effects of Beauveria bassiana applied to maize plants on the transmission of Spiroplasma kunkelii and 'Candidatus Phytoplasma asteris' by D. maidis adults under controlled conditions. Although the fungus was able to infect D. maidis adults, its capacity to kill the insect rapidly was limited. Differences in corn stunt disease severity and plant growth parameters were observed between fungal-treated and untreated plants; however, the protective effect of the fungus was limited and inconsistent over time. Potential changes in D. maidis feeding behavior induced by B. bassiana infection were insufficient to significantly reduce the incidence and severity of corn stunt diseases or prevent grain yield losses in maize plants.  aCorn leafhopper  aCorn stunt spiroplasma  aEntomopathogenic fungus  aMaize bushy stunt phytoplasma1 aFARIA, M. R. de1 aLOPES, R. B.  tCrop Protectiongv. 197, 107361, 2025.