Background
The study was focused on identifying the pathogenic potential of native entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) viz., Metarhizium anisopliae (Metsch.) and Lecanicillium longisporum (Zimm.) against adult tea mosquito bug (TMB), Helopeltis theivora (Waterhouse) under in vitro conditions.
Results
Four EPF were isolated and the sequence has deposited to NCBI Genbank with accession numbers of MZ930378 (Metarhizium anisopliae isolate UPASI_1), MZ930384 (Lecanicillium longisporum isolate UPASI_2), MZ930388 (Metarhizium anisopliae isolate UPASI_3) and MZ930389 (Metarhizium anisopliae isolate UPASI_4). Isolates were evaluated against adult TMB using dipping and direct spray methods under in vitro conditions. The M. anisopliae isolates achieved 100 and 69–81% of adult mortality in dipping and direct spray method, respectively after the 10th day of application with 1 × 109 spores/ml. Among the tested isolates, a significant (p < 0.001) and highest mortality were observed in M. anisopliae (MZ930388). On the other hand, spraying of L. longisporum with 1 × 109, 1 × 107 and 1 × 105 spores/ml caused the adult mortality of 76, 55 and 46% respectively after the 10th day of application.
Conclusions
The study found that the indigenous EPF, M. anisopliae (MZ930388) was an effective and promising biocontrol agent against adult TMB under in vitro conditions.
Tea mosquito bug (TMB) Helopeltis theivora Waterhouse is one of the major pests in both south and north Indian tea plantations. This study was conducted to find out the behavioral responses of male TMB for developing a mass trapping technology. The study shows that TMB male’s behavioral response was high towards the thorax extract of virgin females, virgin female body wash and live virgin females. Males’ antennal responses were high towards to thorax extract of virgin females; the same sources performed well against male TMB under field conditions too. Caged virgin females provide prolonged attraction throughout their lifespan; in contrast, thorax and virgin female body extracts’ attraction rate lasted only up to 24 hr but achieved a significant attraction rate over male TMB. Caged female and thorax extract could be the effective tools for mass trapping, monitoring and controlling of TMB through mating disruption.
In the present study, Steinernema- sp. were isolated from Tirupur soil sample and tested for its antagonistic potential against larvae of Galleria mellonella and Holotrichia repetita in laboratory condition. 100 per cent mortality was observed after 24 and 48 hours for G. mellonella and repetita respectively. Further biochemical estimations viz., protein, carbohydrates and lipids were carried out after 24 and 48 h of application. The results showed that there was a significant decrease in all biochemical parameters of parasitized larvae compared to control. Steinernema sp. can be incorporated in IPM program for the control of G. mellonella and H. repetita.
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