Virulence of Metarhizium anisopliae (Metsch.) Sorok against coconut hispine beetle, Brontispa longissima Gestro, under field condition

Issue Date

10-2008

Abstract

The Biological Control Laboratory of the Crop Protection Division maintains and mass produces different strains of Metarhizium anisoplieae commonly known as the green muscardine fungus, a biological control agent against different pests of agricultural crops. Different available isolates were considered in bioassay testing against the coconut hispine beetle since no specific strain most suited for this pest has been studied and reported yet. Results showed that only the strain recommended for rice black bug had a positive effect after 24, 48, and 72 hours of infection, as indicated by 2,7, and 10 dead larvae respectively, out of ten larvae / plate. Results of the preliminary field experiment conducted in Cavite showed that Metarhizium was more aggressive and virulent on the larvae of Brontispa than on the adults although the differences observed among treatments were not statistically significant. Weekly removal of infected Brontispa individuals from the treated coconut trees was done which resulted in decline in the number of collected mummified insects during the first field trial. Infected insects provided continuous source of inoculum for further contamination of the remaining live Brontispa in the field.

Source or Periodical Title

Philippine Entomologist

ISSN

0048-3753

Volume

22

Issue

2

Page

211

Document Type

Article

Frequency

semi-annually

Language

English

En – AGROVOC descriptors

METARHIZIUM ANISOPLIAE; VIRULENCE; PLANT PEST; PESTS; BIOLOGICAL CONTROL AGENTS

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