Bioassays of Beauveria bassiana Isolates against the Fall Armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda

Abstract

The control of Spodoptera frugiperda, the key invasive pest of maize, is a serious concern due to its biology and the current global restriction on applying synthetic pesticides. Entomopathogenic fungi are considered to be a potential biological control strategy. The pathogenicity of 12 isolates of Beauveria bassiana in the immature stages and feeding efficacy of S. frugiperda were evaluated. The B. bassiana isolates QB-3.45, QB-3.46 and QB-3.428 caused the highest egg mortality rates of 87.3, 82.7 and 79.3%, respectively, when applied at a concentration of 1 × 108 conidia/mL and measured at 7 days post-treatment. Neonate mortality rates of 45.6 to 53.6% were observed with the same isolates. The B. bassiana isolates caused significant cumulative mortality rates ranging from 71.3 to 93.3% at 14 days post-treatment and reduced larval feeding efficacy from 69.4 to 77.8% at 48 h post-treatment. This study supports using the effective B. bassiana isolates as a biological control agent against S. frugiperda. The significant mortality of the eggs and neonatal larvae and the reduction in the feeding efficacy of the second instar larvae of the S. frugiperda that were treated with isolates of B. bassiana supports the application of entomopathogenic fungi as a biocontrol agent for the effective control of the S. frugiperda population.

Lethal, Sub-Lethal and Trans-Generational Effects of Chlorantraniliprole on Biological Parameters, Demographic Traits, and Fitness Costs of Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

“…Insect mortality, fertility, and lifespan may all be affected by environmental variables, including heat, pesticides, and secondary plant metabolites. Demographic toxicology, or the life table, is useful for assessing these impacts [ 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 ]. The conventional life table focused only on the female population and overlooked the male population.…”

Biotic Potential Induced by Different Host Plants in the Fall Armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

“…S. frugiperda very recently invaded Asian countries, including China [ 28 ]. It was recorded for the first time in Pakistan in 2019 [ 17 , 29 ].…”

First Record of Aspergillus fijiensis as an Entomopathogenic Fungus against Asian Citrus Psyllid, Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Liviidae)

“…Entomopathogenic fungi are pathogenic micro-organisms that can infect and penetrate the host and cause disease, which ultimately leads to the death of insects [9]. In the theory of integrated pest management (IPM), entomopathogenic fungi have become one of the most critical tools in the population control of agricultural pests [10][11][12].…”

“…They have the advantages of widely existing, a broad-spectrum action, long duration of efficacy, relatively safe for nontarget organisms and less likelihood of the pest developing resistance [22]. Entomopathogenic fungi have become an important resource for controlling agricultural and forestry pests due to their unique insecticidal methods and high efficiency of epidemic potential [9,23]. Currently, more than 1000 species have been reported.…”

“…Currently, more than 1000 species have been reported. For example, Metarhizium anisopliae, Beauveria bassiana and Cordyceps fumosorosea have good control effects on Locusta migratoria Meyen, Aphis gossypii Glover, Spodoptera frugiperda and Trialeurodes vaporariorum Westwood and have been applied to the green control of agricultural pests [9,[24][25][26]. In recent years, a large number of entomopathogenic fungi have been reported for the control of D. citri.…”