Pathogenicity of entomopathogenic fungi (Hyphomycetes) to the legume flower thrips, <i>Megalurothrips sjostedti</i> (Trybom) (Thysan., Thripidae)

Abstract

Abstract: Twenty‐two strains of entomopathogenic fungi were tested in the laboratory to determine their pathogenicity to adult Megalurothrips sjostedti. All the fungal strains were pathogenic to the insect. Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae strains caused mortality ranging between 29 and 100% and 54 to 100%, respectively. In contrast, Verticillium lecanii and Paecilomyces fumosoroseus were less virulent, causing mortality ranging between 29 to 68 and 13%, respectively. The LT 50 of the most virulent B. bassiana and M. anisopliae strains was 2.7 and 2.4 days, respectively. The LC 50 for the most active B. bassiana strain was 7.9 × 10 6 conidia/ml. The LC 50 for the most active strain of M. anisopliae was 1.3 × 10 6 conidia/ml. Two strains of B. bassiana and four strains of M. anisopliae were found to be highly pathogenic to M. sjostedti , which suggests a potential for their use in the biological control of the pest.