Isolation and characterization of entomopathogenic fungi Isaria and Paecilomyces associated with emerald ash borer from Canada

Entomopathogenic fungi of the genera Isaria and Paecilomyces were recovered from old outbreak populations of emerald ash borer in Southern Ontario, Canada. We identified and characterized these fungal isolates as Isaria farinosa and Paecilomyces lilacinus based on morphological criterion and molecular data. The pathogenicity of I. farinosa and P. lilacinus were tested against Tenebrio molitor using four different concentrations viz., 2.0 × 104, 2.0 × 105, 2.0 × 106 and 2.0 x 107 conidia/ml under laboratory conditions. The mean mortality of T. molitor increased with higher concentrations of I. farinosa and P. lilacinus. We also tested the pathogenicity of those two pathogens against emerald ash borer using a single dose of 2.0 x 107. The results suggest that I. farinosa could be a potential pathogen against the EAB.