Evaluation of the entomopathogenic fungi, Beauveria bassiana (Bals.)‎ Vuill. and Paecilomyces farinosus ( Dicks ex Fr.)‎ against the poplar leaf beetle Melasoma populi L.

Abstract EN

Laboratory bioassays were conducted in order to evaluate the pathogenicity of Beauveria bassiana and Paecilomyces farinosus as biocontrol agents against poplar leaf beetle Melasoma populi L.

with three concentrations (106 , 107 and 108 ) spores / ml for each fungus .

Results indicated that both fungi were pathogenic to all stages of poplar leaf beetle although their capability were differs according to the fungus species and exposure duration .

The lowest hatching percentage of eggs was 35.50 when treated by Beauveria bassiana (108 concentration) compared with 97.63 % in the control treatment.

First and second instar larvae were more susceptible to the fungi than the third instar .

The larval mortality percentages increased significantly with B.

bassiana at 108 spores/ml and reached 100% in both 1st.

and 2nd.

Instar larvae .

There were significant differences between both fungi when the pupae sprayed with different fungus concentration and recorded 74.36 at 108 spores/ml of B.

bassiana .

Cumulative adult mortality of 70.23% and 65.22%