Pathogenicity of the Entomopathogenic Fungi Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) and Verticillium lecanii (Zimmerman) Against Aphid Macrosiphum rosae, Linnaeus (Hemiptera: Aphididae) under Laboratory Conditions

The effects of two entomopathogenic fungi, Beauveria bassiana and Verticillium lecanii were studied on aphid adults of Macrosiphum rosae under laboratory condition (25 ± 1 ºC, 80 ± 5% RH and a photoperiod of 12 L: 12 D h). Bioassay was conducted by putting 1 μl from each concentration on insect body by micro-applicator as topical application method. This experiment was conducted with six replications on CRD design. Laboratory bioassay studies were carried with six different concentrations (10^4, 10^5, 10^6, 10^7, 10^8 spore/ml) of B. bassiana and L. lecanii on adult aphids of M. rosae. The LC_50 values L. lecanii and B. bassiana were obtained 1.38 ×10^4 and 2.66 ×10^5 spores/ml, respectively. The LT_50 values ranged from 1.80 to 3.05 days with L. lecanii concentrations and from 2.30 to 3.16 with B. bassiana concentrations on adult aphids. Results showed that LC_50 and LT_50 values L. lecanii were lower than B. bassiana. Therefore, L. lecanii has higher virulence compared with B. bassiana on adult aphids of M. rosae.