An assay was designed to evaluate the efficacy of each entomopathogenic fungus, Beauveria bassiana, and diatomaceous (DE) and their combinations at concentrations of 1 × 10 6 and 1 × 10 8 conidia kg −1 of wheat and 200 and 400 ppm, respectively, on the red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) (Tenebrionidae: Coleoptera), infesting wheat. Percent mortality of T. castaneum was recorded after 7, 14, and 21 days. Percent mycosis on dead cadavers was assessed after 21 days. Alive adults were removed from plastic jars after 21 days and kept for the next 60 days to assess the progeny production. The results indicated that the highest concentrations of B. bassiana and DE in their combinations were more effective for the virulence and progeny suppression of T. castaneum. Maximum mean percent mortality (88.13%) was recorded by B. bassiana (1 × 10 8 conidia kg −1 of wheat) and DE (400 ppm) in their combination after a 21-day exposure interval, while a minimum percent mean mortality (10.00%) was recorded by B. bassiana (1 × 10 6 conidia kg −1 of wheat) alone. The maximum percent mycosis (78.89%) on dead cadavers was recorded at a low concentration rate (1 × 10 6 conidia/kg) of B. bassiana. Mean progeny adult emergence was the highest (62.67 adults) at the low concentration of B. bassiana alone. Present studies showed that B. bassiana and DE are more effective in combination against T. castaneum on wheat as both substances are advantageous.
The rice leaf roller or leaf folder, Cnaphalocrocis medinalis (Guenee) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), is a serious pest of rice crop in Pakistan. The present study was carried out to evaluate the virulence of the entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) Beauveria bassiana, Verticillium lecanii, and Metarhizium anisopliae against the third instar of C. medinalis larvae. Larvae were exposed to fungi under controlled conditions at the available commercial concentration (1 × 10 8 conidia ml −1 ). The results showed 73.33, 57.78, and 74.44% mortality rates in the in vitro assay and 56.67, 41.11 and 52.78% in the greenhouse assay of B. bassiana, V. lecanii, and M. anisopliae, respectively. The maximum mycosis from cadavers of C. medinalis was observed at B. bassiana treatment in the in vitro assay (70%) and in the greenhouse assay (53.78%). The maximum sporulation from C. medinalis cadavers was observed at B. bassiana treatment in the in vitro assay (144.67 conidia ml −1 ) and in greenhouse assay (96.67 conidia ml −1 ). These results favor the alternative use of EPF in organic rice production for management of C. medinalis.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.