Pathogenicity of entomopathogenic fungi to eggs and larvae ofSpodoptera litura, the common cutworm

Abstract

The eggs and second instar larvae of Spodoptera litura were treated with different concentrations of conidial suspensions of six isolates of fungi belonging to five species, Metarhizium anisopliae var. anisopliae (Metschnikov) Sorokin (ARSEF 7487), Lecanicillium muscarium (Petch) Zare & W Gams (ARSEF 7037 and ARSEF 6118), Cordyceps cardinalis (ARSEF 7193), Fusarium lateritium Nees (ARSEF 8291/MTCC 9050) and Aspergillus sp. (ARSEF 8519). In bioassay with unscaled eggs, M. anisopliae, C. cardinalis, F. lateritium and Aspergillus sp. resulted in 100% mortality above 10 6 conidia/mL. However, with scaled egg masses, the highest hatching rate (56%) was observed with L. muscarium (ARSEF 6118) whereas the lowest hatchings were observed in the case of M. anisopliae followed by L. muscarium (ARSEF 7037), Aspergillus sp., F. lateritium, and C. cardinalis. The larvae were also found susceptible to all isolates in a dose dependent manner. Three promising isolates against larvae, viz. M. anisopliae, F. lateritium and L. muscarium (ARSEF 7037) resulted in average percent mortalities of 88, 89 and 77%, respectively at :10 8 conidia/mL. When both larvae and the leaves (provided as food) were treated with :10 8 conidia/mL, mortality further increased for these isolates. Based on the mortality data and the LC 50 values, we suggest that M. anisopliae, F. lateritium and L. muscarium (ARSEF 7037) could be developed as potential biocontrol agents against rice cutworm in IPM programs.

Significant mortality of eggs and young larvae of two pine processionary moth species due to the entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium brunneum

“…Mortality of the treated eggs depend on the fungal strain, dose, and formulation and environmental factors especially temperature and humidity (Anand and Tiwary, 2009;Fernandes et al, 2003;Maniania, 1991;Sabbour, 2015;Santos et al, 2009). In our study, pine processionary moth egg mortality was also affected by the age of the egg mass but not by the removal of the scales from the adult moth that usually cover the egg mass.…”

Evaluation of some entomopathogenic fungi against the fall webworm (Hyphantria cunea Durry, Lepidoptera: Arctidae)

“…L. muscarium is a wellknown pathogen of arthropods. This species was isolated from aphids, scales, whiteflies, thrips and other insects (Askary and Yarmand, 2007;Kunimi, 2007;Goettel et al, 2008;Anand and Tiwary, 2009;Guclu et al, 2010;Saruhan et al, 2015). Lecanicillium muscarium is currently in the process of being made available as a commercial bioinsecticide, for example, Mycotal® (Koppert BV, Berkel en Rodenrijs, Netherlands), for use against whiteflies and thrips, and Verticilin® (Koppert BV, Berkel en Rodenrijs, Netherlands), for use against whiteflies and aphids (Goettel et al, 2008;Brodeur, 2012).…”

Lethal activity of beauvericin, a Beauveria bassiana mycotoxin, against the two‐spotted spider mites, Tetranychus urticae Koch

“…Different strains of the entomopathogenic fungus B. bassiana have been evaluated for their efficacy against T. urticae in field and laboratory conditions. However, very few microbial pesticides have been developed (Anand & Tiwary, 2009;Chandler, Davidson, & Jacobson, 2005;de Faria & Wraight, 2007;Shi & Feng, 2004;Shi, Feng, & Liu, 2008;Ujjan & Shahzad, 2007). The use of beauvericin is favoured over the use of the entomopathogenic fungi because it allows a direct localized use, whereas entomopathogenic fungi propagate their spores very easily between insect bodies (Wang & Xu, 2012).…”