Studies have been conducted using the Beauveria bassiana alone and in combination with diatomaceous earth (DE), mineral oil and Silwet-L-77 suspensions against larvae of Tribolium castaneum. DE at 190 ppm showed synergism with all doses of B. bassiana ranging from 125 to 1000 mg of conidia/Kg of grain. At 1000 ppm B.bassiana alone caused 64.5% mortality while in combination with 190 ppm DE 85.5% mortality was recorded. No significant differences in the response of the larvae towards either B. bassiana or DE alone or in combination were found between 76+1% and 54+1% relative humidities. Comparisons were made of the efficacy of dry conidia, conidia in Silwet-L-77 and conidia in mineral oil against larvae .The conidi in mineral oil were the most effective and caused significantly higher mortality than the spores alone or in silwet suspension.
Key Words: Beauveria bassiana, Tribolium castaneum, Diatomaceous earth, Synergism, Relative humidity, Oil, Silwet.
Species 1: Coleoptera Tenebrionidae Tribolium castaneum (Red Flour Beetle)
Keywords: Tribolium, Beauveria
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