Adulticidal and larvicidal activity of Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae against housefly, Musca domestica (Diptera: Muscidae), in laboratory and simulated field bioassays

Abstract

The susceptibility of the adult and larval stage of housefly, Musca domestica L. (Diptera: Muscidae), to two entomopathogenic fungi, Metarhizium anisopliae (Metsch.) Sor. and Beauveria bassiana (Bals.) Vuill., was evaluated under laboratory and simulated field bioassays. Bioassays on adult houseflies were carried out at different conidial concentrations ranging from 10(3) to 10(9) conidia/ml in petri plate and minichamber assays. Absolute mortality was observed within 4-5 days at all the concentrations tested. M. anisopliae was found to be more effective with LC(50) of 6.75 × 10(7) conidia/ml compared with 1.21 × 10(8) conidia/ml of B. bassiana in petri plate bioassay. Similar trend was observed in minichamber bioassay. Larvicidal activity evaluated through petri plate bioassay also indicated that M. anisopliae was more effective larvicide with LC(50) of 4.1 × 10(8) conidia/ml as against 3.31 × 10(9) conidia/ml of B. bassiana. Larvicidal activity was further evaluated in simulated field condition of decaying waste matrix using dry conidial formulations (10(8) conidia/g) of both the fungi. Larval mortality obtained in this assay was 43% (B. bassiana) and 63% (M. anisopliae). Remarkably better performance of M. anisopliae as an adulticidal and larvicidal agent over B. bassiana in laboratory bioassays as well as simulated field conditions suggests that it may have good potential to become part of an integrated housefly control program.

Morpho-Molecular Characterization and Virulence Determination of Entomopathogenic Fungal Isolates Native to Indian Subcontinent

“…Insecticidal activity of fungal isolates was determined in a Petri plate bioassay against M. domestica adult and larvae according to the method described earlier by Mishra et al [1] Fungal dose used for the assays was 1 ml of conidial suspension in 0.1% Tween 80 at 1 × 10 8 spores/ml. Control was sprayed with 1 ml of sterile distilled water containing 0.1% Tween 80.…”

“…Fungal infection on dead flies was confirmed by incubation of surface sterilized dead cadaver on PDA media, followed by incubation at 28 ± 5°C, 65% RH, for allowing growth of fungus on cadaver. For larval assay, a batch of 20 lab reared larvae (2 nd in star) of M. domestica was taken on Petri plates (diameter-90 mm) along with larval diet as described previously [1]. The mortality of M. domestica larvae was adjudged by larval wasting and immobility, monitored daily for five days [1].…”

“…For larval assay, a batch of 20 lab reared larvae (2 nd in star) of M. domestica was taken on Petri plates (diameter-90 mm) along with larval diet as described previously [1]. The mortality of M. domestica larvae was adjudged by larval wasting and immobility, monitored daily for five days [1]. Mortality data were corrected for control mortality using Abbott's [19] formula and normalized using arcsine transformation before being subjected to a two-way factorial analysis of variance using Stat Plus [20].…”

“…Entomopathogenic fungi (ENPF) due to their broad host range, diminution of potential environmental hazards and theoretical impossibility of resistance development in target insects, are advantageous for pest management strategies [1]. Also, due to their multiple modes of action for insect kill and ability of adapt to pertaining environmental conditions, ENPFs have emerged as bio pesticide of considerable potential.…”

“…The house fly, Musca domestica L. (Diptera: Muscidae) is a significant vector of more than 100 medical and veterinary pathogens which due to their ubiquitous lifestyle and broad food preference achieves a very high density in favourable climatic conditions of Indian subcontinent, leading to environment and health menace [1]. The vector potential of M. domestica has been proved for the propagation of protozoan (amoebic dysentery), bacterial (shigellosis, salmonellosis, cholera), helminthic (round worms, hookworms, pinworms and tapeworms), viral (Turkey Corona virus, Reticuloendotheliosis virus, H5N1 influenza virus) and rickettsial infections, among others [4].…”