Laboratory evaluation of the entomopathogenic fungi, Iranian isolates of Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) Vuillemin and Metarhizium anisopliae (Metsch) Sorokin against the control of the cowpea weevil, Callosobruchus maculatus F. (Coleoptera: Bruchidae)s

Abstract Background The diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae), is a noxious pest of cruciferous crops all over the world causing serious economic damage. Management of insect pest generally depends on chemical control; however, due to development of resistance against all types of insecticides, alternative approaches especially utilization of a microbial agent is inevitable. Results Potential of 2 entomopathogenic fungi (EPF), viz., Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae, was evaluated against 2nd and 3rd larval instars of P. xylostella by adopting leaf dip and direct spraying methods under laboratory conditions. Significant mortality rate was achieved by each fungus under adopted methodologies. However, B. bassiana was found to be more effective in both conditions than M. anisopliae. Highest mean corrected mortality (77.80%) was recorded, when spores of B. bassiana were sprayed on the 2nd instar larvae (LC50=1.78×104/ml) after the 6th day of treatment. Similarly, incase of M. anisopliae LC50 for the 2nd instar at the same methodology was 2.78×104/ml with a mortality percentage of 70.0%. Offspring sex ratio was non-significantly related to treatment concentration and methodology, except for the control. Conclusion Beauveria bassiana and M. anisopliae had potential to suppress P. xylostella infestations when applied appropriately. Present findings suggested that B. bassiana and M. anisopliae when sprayed on immatures of host insect had more effect as compared to leaf dip procedure. Furthermore, no significant effect of concentrations was observed on sex ratio.

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Ecology of the entomopathogenic fungi Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae in temperate agroecosystems: Potential for conservation biological control

Biological Control ◽

10.1016/j.biocontrol.2007.07.007 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 43 (2) ◽

pp. 145-155 ◽

Cited By ~ 267

Author(s):

Nicolai V. Meyling ◽

Jørgen Eilenberg

Keyword(s):

Biological Control ◽

Beauveria Bassiana ◽

Entomopathogenic Fungi ◽

Metarhizium Anisopliae ◽

Conservation Biological Control

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Evaluating the virulence of Metarhizium anisopliae (Deuteromycotina: Hyphomycetes) and Beauveria bassiana (Ascomycota: Hypocreales) isolates to Arabian rhinoceros beetle, Oryctes agamemnon arabicus

Journal of Entomological and Acarological Research ◽

10.4081/jear.2015.5180 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 47 (3) ◽

pp. 117 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

M.W. Khudhair ◽

M.Z. Khalaf ◽

H.F. Alrubeai ◽

A.K. Shbar ◽

B.S. Hamad ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mortality Rate ◽

Beauveria Bassiana ◽

Entomopathogenic Fungi ◽

Metarhizium Anisopliae ◽

Pupal Stage ◽

Control Treatment ◽

Rhinoceros Beetle ◽

Oryctes Agamemnon ◽

Lethal Time ◽

Short Time

Virulence of entomopathogenic fungi Metarhizium anisopliae and Beauveria bassiana were tested against Arabian Rhinoceros Beetle, Oryctes agamemnon arabicus larvae. Four concentrations (1×105, 1×107, 1×109 and 1×1011 conidia/mL–1) of two locally isolated entomopathogenic fungi spore suspensions were used in this study via larval direct spraying. Results revealed that both isolates can cause high mortality rate reaching 100% after 29 days. However, Beauveria bassiana scored higher mortality rate in short time especially at the concentration of 1×1011 conidia/ mL–1 with lethal time (LT)50 12.75 and LT90 20.00; while, Metarhizium anisopliae caused the higher percentage of malformed adults. Moreover, both isolates affected insect’s life cycle particularly in the pupal stage which was reduced remarkably by almost 50% in comparison with the control treatment.

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