Development of fungal entomopathogen Beauveriabassiana (Balsamo) formulations for control ofmosquito larvae in the field

Abstract

Till date, malaria remains a major global problem, exacting an unacceptable toll on the health and economic welfare of the world’s poorest communities. To overcome the problem, application of chemical insecticides, has been in use for decades, but it has met with tremendous setbacks in the light of the development of vector resistance and some attendant environmental hazards. In our study, we have focused on an ecofriendly entomopathogenic fungus to know its efficacy to control mosquito larvae in field trial. To evaluate the efficacy of the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) on malaria causing mosquitoes in the field, outdoor trials were undertaken in Udaipur city. The entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) have demonstrated effectiveness against anopheline larvae in the laboratory. Laboratory reared Anopheles stephensi (L.) second instar larvae were selected for field studies. The powdered form of fungus mixed with CMC (Carboxy Methyl Cellulose) (5 g/kg) were obtained. In the field bioassay, doses i.e., 1 g, 2.5 g and 5 g of fungal conidia were tested. The data clearly revealed the effectiveness of Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) in field conditions. The study demonstrated that the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) caused high impact on the survival of Anopheles stephensi (L.) in outdoor trials, when formulated in CMC (Carboxy Methyl Cellulose).