EFFICIENCY OF SOME ENTOMOPATHOGENIC FUNGI AS BIOCONTROL AGENTS AGAINST Aphis fabae SCOPOLI (HEMIPTERA: APHIDIDAE)

Abstract

This study evaluated the use of Lecanicillium muscarium and Simplicillium lamellicola isolates, the commercial bioinsecticide Verticillium lecanii and two different insecticides against Aphis fabae at 20 degrees C and 25 degrees C. Dead and live individuals were counted daily following treatment, and Lethal time (LT)(50) and LT90 values of entomopathogenic fungi (L. muscarium, S. lamellicola and V. lecanii) and insecticides (azadirachtin and imidacloprid) were calculated. LT50 values for L. muscarium, S. lamellicola, V. lecanii, azadirachtin and imidacloprid at 20 degrees C were 1.77, 2.13, 2.33, 1.46 and 0.90/day, respectively. LT50 values at 25 degrees C were 1.93, 1.96, 2.03, 1.28 and 0.86/day, respectively. LT90 values at 20 degrees C were 4.49, 5.28, 5.13, 3.61 and 2.37, and LT90 values at 25 degrees C were 4.46, 5.11, 5.03, 3.43 and 2.21, respectively. At the end of Day 7, death ratios were approximately 100% for all treatment groups at both temperatures. Comparisons of the fiducial limits showed that LT values did not vary significantly between temperatures.