Entomopathogenic Fungi on Fabae bean Aphid, Aphis craccivora (Koch) (Hemiptera: Aphididae)

Abstract

The Aphids, Aphis craccivora (Koch) is a serious pest in agricultural fields in Egypt. Entomopathogenic fungi are biological control agents of insects. The study was carried out on the aphid by using of Bio Catch, Verticillium lecanii, Bio Power, Beauveria bassiana and Bio Magic, Metarhizium anisopliae on A. craccivora. Laboratory experiments were done to measure the pathogenicity of three commercial compounds from entomopathogenic fungi, Bio Catch, V. lecanii, Bio Power, B. bassiana, and Bio Magic, M. anisopliae against adults and nymphs of A. craccivora. Three concentrations were used from all compounds, 107 , 108 and 109 spores/ml. at 22 ± 2°C and 75 ± 5 R.H. The concentration (109 spores/ml.) gave 100% mortality with V. lecanii and B. bassiana then M. anisopliae. The Lowest LC50 value of 2.1 x 106 spores/ml. was recorded by V. lecanii, which showed higher virulence compared to other entomopathogenic fungi. The LC50 values of V. lecanii, B. bassiana and M. anisopliae were 2.1 x 106 , 4.3 x 106 and 6.4 x 107 spores ml., respectively. At the highest concentration of 109 spores/ml., the Median LT50 values for V. lecanii, B. bassiana and M. anisopliae were 4.2, 5.2 and 7.0 days, respectively.