Combined use of entomopathogenic fungi and their extracts for the control of Spodoptera littoralis (Boisduval) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Compatibility between the endoparasitoid Hyposoter didymator and the entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium brunneum: a laboratory simulation for the simultaneous use to control Spodoptera littoralis

“…A stock colony of S. littoralis was established and reared using the method proposed by Poitout and Bues and modified by Santiago‐Alvarez . The detailed rearing procedure is described in one of our own previous studies …”

“…Four concentrations of conidia in suspension were prepared in a sterile solution of 0.1% Tween 80 (10, 10, 10 7 and 10 8 conidia ml −1 ); the control was 0.1% Tween 80 without conidia. These concentrations were selected based on our previous studies . Newly‐emerged adult parasitoids were cold‐anesthetized and sprayed, in replicate groups of 10, with conidial suspensions (or 0.1% Tween 80 [control]) in a Potter tower (Burkard Manufacturing Co. Ltd, Rickmansworth, United Kingdom), which deposited 1.54 ± 0.06 mg cm −2 at 0.7 bars of pressure.…”

“…The obtained values were compared with the χ 2 table values for 1° of freedom and P > 0.05. If the calculated values were lower than the values of the table, the interaction between treatments was considered additive; otherwise, the interaction could be synergistic or antagonistic depending on the relationship of M O and M P with M E …”

“…Moreover, chemical insecticides may be harmful for the natural enemies of insect pests . As a result, research has increasingly focused on non‐chemical measures for control of S. littoralis with a particular emphasis on biological control . Biological control agents are important alternatives to chemical pesticides and one of the principal components of any Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programme .…”

“…have a broad host range, although their virulence, and thus, their efficacy as biocontrol agents depends largely on the strain more than the species . Indeed, our previous studies have reported the efficacy of several isolates of entomopathogenic fungi for control of S. littoralis , both by direct inoculation of larvae with the fungus and by feeding larvae with leaves from endophytically‐colonized plants . The M. brunneum isolate EAMa 01/58‐Su, in particular, has been shown to be virulent against S. littoralis and other economically important insect pests …”