ABSTRACT
The activity of Metarhizium anisopliae and Beauveria bassiana towards eggs and larvae of Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) was evaluated. Our data showed that the isolates were pathogenic to both developmental stages tested and the eggs were more susceptible than the 1st instars. The isolates URPE-6 and URPE-19 of M. anisopliae were more pathogenic to eggs and larvae, respectively. The compatibility of these two isolates with the insecticides chlorfenapyr, spinosad, indoxacarb, abamectin, and neem were evaluated. Spinosad and indoxacarb were compatible with the two M. anisopliae isolates in all tested concentrations. At the average recommended concentration, chlorfenapyr was compatible to URPE-6 and abamectin to UFPE-19. The use of entomopathogenic fungi associated with compatible insecticides may be a useful alternative to control T. absoluta.
Subject(s)
Animals , Beauveria/isolation & purification , Crops, Agricultural/parasitology , Insecticides , Lepidoptera/microbiology , Solanum lycopersicum/parasitology , Metarhizium/isolation & purification , Pest Control, Biological/methodsABSTRACT
The activity of Metarhizium anisopliae and Beauveria bassiana towards eggs and larvae of Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) was evaluated. Our data showed that the isolates were pathogenic to both developmental stages tested and the eggs were more susceptible than the 1st instars. The isolates URPE-6 and URPE-19 of M. anisopliae were more pathogenic to eggs and larvae, respectively. The compatibility of these two isolates with the insecticides chlorfenapyr, spinosad, indoxacarb, abamectin, and neem were evaluated. Spinosad and indoxacarb were compatible with the two M. anisopliae isolates in all tested concentrations. At the average recommended concentration, chlorfenapyr was compatible to URPE-6 and abamectin to UFPE-19. The use of entomopathogenic fungi associated with compatible insecticides may be a useful alternative to control T. absoluta.
Subject(s)
Beauveria/isolation & purification , Crops, Agricultural/parasitology , Insecticides , Lepidoptera/microbiology , Metarhizium/isolation & purification , Pest Control, Biological/methods , Solanum lycopersicum/parasitology , AnimalsABSTRACT
Among the microorganisms used in biological control, the muscadine fungus Metarhizium anisopliae (Metsch.) Sorok. is produced and formulated world wide aiming to control pests from several agricultural crops. This work evaluated effects of M. anisopliae isolate UFRPE-6 on the fecundity and mortality of Tuta absoluta (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) females and the mechanism of infection on eggs. The infection of the females by the fungus did not affect their oviposition and fecundity; however it affected the survival with total and confirmed mortality of 54.2% and 37.14%, respectively. The eggs were treated with suspension at concentration of 10(6)conidia/mL. The analysis under scanning electron microscopy showed that conidia germination and penetration processes in the eggs of T. absoluta started within the period of 6h after the inoculation. Several hyphal bodies were observed from 12h and an intense extrusion of the mycelium covering all the external surface of the eggs 72h after inoculation. Despite its moderate activity in adults, the isolate URPE-6 of M. anisopliae showed promising in the control of T. absoluta due to its pathogenicity and virulence to eggs from this pest.
