Efficacy of Entomopathogenic Fungi Against Two-spotted Spider Mite, Tetranychus urticae (Trombidiformes: Tetranychidae)

Abstract

Two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch, 1836 is known as an important agricultural pest which is the cause of yield loss in several crops and could develop resistance to acaricides. Thus, there is need to find the alternative method to control. Morphological measurements of the mite were established to help in identification. This study was designed to investigate in controlling of two-spotted spider mite by using entomopathogenic fungi Metarhizium anisopliae isolate Ma-MJU-BCTLC-218 and Beauveria bassiana isolate BbMJU-BCTLC-086 at the concentration of 1x107 and 1x109 conidia/ml comparing with chemical acaricide (propagite and amitraz). The results showed that after 24 hours, the mortality rate of the mites treated with all concentrations of both entomopathogenic fungi was not significantly different from that of control (p<0.05) but significantly different increased after 48 and 72 hours after application. Application of B. bassiana at concentration of 1x109 conidia/ml resulting in the highest mortality rate at 56% after 72 hours. For propagite and amitraz, the mortality was significant difference with all treatments at 48 and 72 hours. This study showed that entomopathogenic fungi could be applied as potential bioinsecticides in controlling of the two-spotted spider mite to reduce using of acaricides in the agricultural production system.