The First Laboratory Evaluation of Potential Entomopathogenic Fungi for Controlling the Pink Stem Borer <I>Sesamia inferens</I> (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in Thailand
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Abstract
Entomopathogenic fungi serve as crucial natural enemies to insect pests including the pink stem borer, Sesamia inferens (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), an important pest of sugarcane in Thailand. Therefore, the first laboratory assessment performed to evaluate the efficacy of entomopathogenic fungi for controlling S. inferens was conducted under the aims of determining the pathogenicity and virulence of four species and seven isolates of entomopathogenic fungi: Beauveria bassiana isolate B001, B. bassiana isolate B002, Fusarium sp. isolate FSS, Metarhizium anisopliae isolate M001, M. anisopliae isolate M002, M. anisopliae isolate MSS and Purpureocillium lilacinum isolate PSS, retrieved from National Biological Control Research Center (NCBRC), Central Regional Center and Kasetsart University, Kamphaeng Saen Campus, Nakhon Pathom, to control S. inferens through topical application by dropping the conidia suspension of the pathogenic fungi locally on the intersegmental membrane of the thorax between segment 1 and segment 2 of the 4th instar larvae under laboratory conditions. The result revealed that B. bassiana isolate B001, M. anisopliae isolate M001 and M. anisopliae isolate MSS could infect the fourth instar larvae of S. inferens with mortality rates at 37.50 ± 5.80, 72.50 ± 9.60 and 85.00 ± 5.80 % and the LT50 at 18.12, 6.03 and 2.93 days, respectively. M. anisopliae isolate M001 and M. anisopliae isolate MSS that elicited more than 50 percent mortality against S. inferens were further assessed for their virulence. The latter isolate was more virulent than the former one with LC50 values of 3.69 x 106 and 4.73 x 105 conidia per milliliter, respectively.
Lastly, M. anisopliae isolate MSS, the most virulent fungal pathogen among the tested species, was evaluated against S. inferens larvae of instars 2 - 3, 4 - 5, and 6 - 7 for its virulence. Remarkably, the fungus infected S. inferens larvae of different ages and showed infectivity to its host with LC50 values of 9.26 x 104, 6.02 x 105 and 5.12 x 106 conidia per milliliter, respectively.
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