%0 Journal Article
%T Pathogenicity, Ovicidal Action, and Median Lethal Concentrations (LC50) of Entomopathogenic Fungi against Exotic Spiralling Whitefly, Aleurodicus dispersus Russell
%A Boopathi Thangavel
%A Karuppuchamy Palaniappan
%A Kalyanasundaram Manickavasagam Pillai
%A Mohankumar Subbarayalu
%A Ravi Madhaiyan
%J Journal of Pathogens
%D 2013
%I Hindawi Publishing Corporation
%R 10.1155/2013/393787
%X Biological control using entomopathogenic fungi could be a promising alternative to chemical control. Entomopathogenic fungi, Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) Vuillemin, Metarhizium anisopliae (Metschnikoff) Sorokin, Lecanicillium lecanii (Zimmerm.) Zare and Gams, and Paecilomyces fumosoroseus (Wize) Brown and Smith, were tested for their pathogenicity, ovicidal effect, and median lethal concentrations (LC50) against exotic spiralling whitefly, Aleurodicus dispersus Russell. The applications were made at the rate of 2 ¡Á 109£¿conidia£¿mL£¿1 for evaluating the pathogenicity and ovicidal effect of entomopathogenic fungi against A. dispersus. The results of pathogenicity test showed that P. fumosoroseus (P1 strain) was highly pathogenic to A. dispersus recording 100% mortality at 15 days after treatment (DAT). M. anisopliae (M2 strain) had more ovicidal effect causing 37.3% egg mortality at 8 DAT. However, L. lecanii (L1 strain) caused minimum egg hatchability (23.2%) at 10 DAT as compared to control (92.6%). The lowest LC50 produced by P. fumosoroseus (P1 strain) as 8.189 ¡Á 107£¿conidia£¿mL£¿1 indicated higher virulence against A. dispersus. Hence, there is potential for use of entomopathogenic fungi in the field conditions as an alternate control method in combating the insect pests and other arthropod pests since they are considered natural mortality agents and are environmentally safe. 1. Introduction The spiralling whitefly, Aleurodicus dispersus Russell (Homoptera, Aleyrodidae), the native of the Caribbean region of Central America [1], is a highly polyphagous pest, which has extensive host range covering 481 plants belonging to 295 genera from 90 families of vegetables, fruits, and ornamentals trees [2]. A loss of 80% in fruit yield recorded in guava infested by A. dispersus in Taiwan [3] and A. dispersus caused yield reduction up to 53% in cassava [4]. The nymphs are covered with heavy waxy flocculent materials and waxy threads offering a great defense against synthetic chemical insecticides and resulting in poor control of the pest [5]. One of the potential methods in A. dispersus management is the use of microbial biocontrol (MBCAs) agents as the natural enemies of the pest population devastate pests with no hazard effects on human health and environment. As the microbial biocontrol agents have complex mode of action, it is very difficult for a pest to develop resistance against MBCAs. The present MBCAs are viruses, bacteria, nematodes, and fungi and they are used throughout the world with great advantage and success. But fungal biocontrol agents are the
%U http://www.hindawi.com/journals/jpath/2013/393787/