Pathogenicity and biological characterization of entomopathogenic fungi isolated from corn earworm, Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Issue Date

4-2011

Abstract

Two novel entomopathogenic fungal isolates, IPLB-1 and IPLB-2, were isolated from a diseased larva of Helicoverpa armigera among a laboratory-reared population collected from a sweet sorghum field. Morphological characterization revealed that bothisolates are under the genus Metarhizium. Sequence analysis of the ITS-5.8s rDNA region showed higher homology of IPLB-1 (JQ086358) and IPLB-2 (JQ086359) to Metarhizium flavoviride var. flavoviride (AY646398.1) compared to Beauveria bassiana and Paecilomyces sp. The two isolates were found to be highly pathogenic to H. armigera with LC50 values of 3.290×105 and 3.737×105 for IPLB-1 and IPLB-2 isolates, respectively, to 7 days old larvae at seven days after infection. The results indicate that these novel entomopathogenic fungi have potential to control H. armigera. Studies on its virulence and effectivity to larvae of H. armigera in different instars, among many, are necessary to determine the potential of these entomopathogenic fungi as biological control agents. Search for other possible insect hosts for these fungal isolates will expand their usefulness.

Source or Periodical Title

Philippine Entomologist

ISSN

0048-3753

Volume

25

Issue

1

Page

48-63

Document Type

Article

Frequency

semi-annually

Physical Description

figs. ; graphs ; tables

Language

English

En – AGROVOC descriptors

HELICOVERPA ARMIGERA; PLANT PESTS; METARHIZIUM; ENTOMOGENOUS FUNGI; PATHOGENICITY

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