| Comparative study on two entomopathogenic fungi on larvae of the elm leaf beetle, Xanthogaleruca luteola Muller (Col., Chrysomelidae) |
| Paper ID : 1052-3IICE (R1) |
| Authors: |
|
Jafar Ebrahimifar *1, Arsalan Jamshidnia2 1Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvza, Ahvaz Province, Iran 2Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, College of Aburiehan, University of Tehran |
| Abstract: |
| The elm leaf beetle, Xanthogaleruca luteola Muller (Col., Chrysomelidae) is one of the most important and key insect pests that causes damage to elm trees. Application of traditional synthetic insecticides in urban area has increased public concerns, therefore, the use of alternative and safe compounds is recommended. Entomopathogenic fungi are important biocontrol agents that have been applied in insect pest management systems. The aim of current research was study the pathogenicity of two entomopathogenic fungi, Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae on the 1st, 2nd and 3rd instar larvae of X. luteola. All experiments were conducted at controlled conditions of 25 ± 1 °C, 75 ± 5 RH and a photoperiod of 14:10 hours (L: D). The concentrations of 105, 106, 107 and 108 spores/ml were applied on larvae using immersion and spray methods. Based on the results, in the first 24 h, no mortality was observed. The findings showed that LC50 of B. bassiana in immersion and spray methods were 3.88 × 102 and 7.52 × 102 spores/ml while LC50 of M. anisopliae in mentioned methods were 7.05 × 102 and 11.85 × 102 spores/ml, respectively with significant differences. The highest mortalities in both methods were observed on the 1st instar larvae that were significantly different compared with that in control. Moreover, the highest and lowest mortalities in immersion (42.67 and 21.53 %) and spray methods (34.87 and 16.13 %) were associated to concentrations of 108 and 105 spores/ml on the 1st and 3rd instar larvae, respectively. Therefore, the 1st and 2nd instar larvae were more susceptible to the both mentioned isolated compared with 3rd instar larvae. Accordingly, B. bassiana and M. anisopliae were pathogenic to the larvae of X. luteola. It is concluded that these biocontrol agents can be utilized against elm leaf beetle larvae as eco-friendly compounds. Of course, in the field habitat, mortality was considerably lower than mortality in the laboratory that comprehensive studies are necessary. |
| Keywords: |
| Entomophatogenic fungi; Mortality; Pathogenicity; Xanthogaleruca luteola. |
| Status : Paper Accepted (Poster Presentation) |
