Abstract
In Colombia, the entomopathogenic fungusBeauveria bassiana(Deuteromycotina: Hyphomycetes) is widely used to control the coffee berry borerHypothenemus hampei(Coleoptera: Scolytidae) in coffee plantations. Recent studies suggested that this fungus is also pathogenic to several important vectors of disease, includingPhlebotomus papatasiandLutzomyia longipalpis(Diptera: Psychodidae). The present study evaluated the use ofB. bassianaas a potential biological control agent against phlebotomine sand flies in Colombian coffee plantations. Histopathologic examination indicates thatB. bassianais unable to infect sand flies under natural conditions, although dead sand flies were shown to be readily infected. In addition, laboratory bioassays where flies were exposed to the fungus applied onto coffee plants (though not filter paper) showed lower mean survival times than the control.
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