Monday, December 10, 2007
D0127
Laboratory evaluation of formulations of Metarhizium anisopliae and Beauveria bassiana against yellowmargined leaf beetle, Microtheca ochroloma (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)
Rammohan Rao Balusu, balusrr@auburn.edu, Auburn University, Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, 301 Funchess Hall, Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Auburn, AL and Henry Y. Fadamiro, FADAMHY@auburn.edu, Auburn University, Department of Entomology & Plant Pathology, 346 Funchess Hall, Auburn, AL.
The yellowmargined leaf beetle, Microtheca ochroloma Stål (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), is a major pest of organic crucifer vegetable crops in Alabama and other parts of southern United States. The pathogenicity of some commercial and experimental formulations of two entomopathogenic fungi, Metarhizium anisopliae and Beauveria bassiana, was evaluated against immatures and adult beetles of both sexes. Conidial suspension of each formulation was evaluated at five different concentrations ranging from 8.8×107 to 8.8×103 conidia/mL. Bioassays involved direct immersion and foliar exposure of test insects to the test formulations under laboratory conditions, after which mortality was monitored daily for 14 days. The results will be used to select the best formulations and rates for further evaluation in vegetable fields.
Species 1: Coleoptera Chrysomelidae Microtheca ochroloma (yellowmargined leaf beetle)
Species 2: Hypocreales Clavicipitaceae Metarhizium anisopliae
Species 3: Hypocreales Clavicipitaceae Beauveria bassiana