Short CommunicationPreliminary study of genetic variation in Hawaiian isolates of Beauveria bassiana [Hypocreales, Cordycipitaceae]

There have been no previous surveys documenting genetic diversity in Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) Vuillemin in Hawaii. We used PCR primers and DNA sequencing to genetically characterize 14 isolates of B. bassiana collected from insects in east Hawaii island (the largest Hawaiian island, known as the 'Big Island') and compared these with the 'GHA' strain found in the commercial product BotaniGard®. Twelve of the 14 Hawaiian isolates were unique and the GHA strain was not among those isolated from the wild. Our data provides evidence that genetic diversity of B. bassiana in Hawaii is high over small spatial scales.

Graphical abstractPhylogram of ITS regions of Beauvaria isolates in Hawaii and commercial strain GHA (Genbank AB576868).Download full-size imageResearch highlights► Twelve of 14 Hawaiian isolates of Beauveria bassiana collected from the wet side of Hawaii island were unique. ► The GHA strain was not among those isolated from the wild. ► Genetic diversity of B. bassiana in Hawaii is high over small spatial scales.