Evaluation of the effectiveness of spore suspension and fungal filtrate of Metarhizium anisopliae fungus in controlling Tribolium castaneum (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae)

Abstract

This study evaluated the effect of spore suspension and fungal filtrate against different developmental stages of Tribolium castaneum third and fifth larval instars and adults. Two isolates of entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium anisopliae were used (commercially (Met 52 EC), and domesticly). For the two isolates, the effectiveness of various conidial concentrations were (1 × 104 ; 1 × 106 ; 1 × 108 conidia/ ml) and various concentrations of fungal filtrate (100,75,50%) were evaluated. It is observed that the fungal filtrate at a concentration of 75% and the conidial concentration of 1 x 108 conidia /ml for both isolates were the most effective in causing the highest mortality rates to the third and fifth instar larva and adults of T. castaneum. Additionally, it resulted in less eggs produced by females treated with conidial concentration and fungal filtrate compared to control treatment. The results of this study demonstrate that the fungus can be used as a biological control agent against T. castaneum, which infects stored products. However, further research studies under storage conditions are required.