Susceptibility of cotton mealy bug, Paracoccus marginatus to entomopathogenic fungi.

摘要

Studies were conducted to determine the pathogenicity of Metarhizium anisopliae, Lecanicillium lecanii and Beauveria bassiana against mealy bug (Paracoccus marginatus) nymphs and adults under laboratory conditions. The nymphs and adults of P. marginatus were susceptible to all 3 entomopathogenic fungi at varying levels. In general, insect mortality was increased with an increase in the exposure period. When M. anisopliae, L. lecanii and B. bassiana were tested against P. marginatus adults, L. lecanii recorded the highest mortality of 80% at 7 days after treatment (DAT). M. anisopliae and B. bassiana recorded 75 and 70% mortality, respectively, at 9 DAT. A maximum of 100% mortality of nymphs were recorded at 9 DAT by all 3 fungi.