Efficacy of Some Local Isolates of the Fungus Beauveria bassiana (Bals.-Criv.) Vuill Towards the Immature Stages of the Fall Armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith)

Abstract

Alshadidi, B., J. Faddoul and A. Basheer. 2023. Efficacy of Some Local Isolates of the Fungus Beauveria bassiana (Bals.-Criv.) Vuill Towards the Immature Stages of the Fall Armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith). Arab Journal of Plant Protection, 41(4): 384-390. https://doi.org/10.22268/AJPP-41.4.384390 The fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda Smith (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is one of the major pests that attack the maize crop. The use of entomopathogenic fungi is considered one of the most important strategies in managing this invasive pest as opposed to synthetic pesticides that are hazardous to human, environment and biodiversity. The experiments were conducted at the Biological Control Studies and Research Center (BCSRC), Faculty of Agricultural Engineering, University of Damascus during the period 2020-2022. The efficiency of seven Beauveria bassiana isolates was evaluated on the immature stages of armyworm. Isolates KA.1 and BS.5 caused the highest eggs mortality rate, 88.17 and 83.40%, respectively, when applied at a concentration of 1 x 108 spores/ml7 days after treatment. Isolate BS.5 caused the highest mortality rate of 54.77% at the same spore concentration and there was no significant effect on second instar larvae and pupae. However, when the isolate KA.1 was used, the highest mortality rate was in the pupa and reached 21.27 % two weeks after treatment. Thus, B. bassiana fungus can be applied with high efficiency in controlling the armyworm community, especially in the early larval stages. Keywords: Entomopathogenic fungi, larval stages, Spodoptera frugiperda.