مرکز منطقه ای اطلاع رساني علوم و فناوري - Effects of entomopathogenic fungi, Beauveria bassiana (Bals.) and Metarhizium anisopliae (Metsch.) on larvae and egg stages of Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae)

Abstract :

Tomato leafminer, Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) is wellknown as a serious pest of tomato crops in Europe and South America. After Europe and Northern Africa, it is currently considered as a key pest in tomato fields in Turkey. Using of pesticides to pests, disease and weeds which are problems in agricultural area causes distortion of natural balance, environmental pollution, direct and indirect adverse effect on human healthy and resistance problems. Thus, investigations on microbial control were begun as an alternative method to chemical control. In this study, effects of preparations of entomopathogenic fungi, Beauveria bassiana (Bals.) and Metarhizium anisopliae (Metsch.) on larvae and egg stages of T. absoluta was investigated. The experiment used the immersion method was conducted with four replicates in laboratory. After application, leaves on which larvae and eggs were laid on blotting paper in order to dry and then they were placed in petri dishes. Dead and survival individuals were taken census at 3rd, 5th, 7th and 9th days. According to statistical analysis of observed data, effect of B. bassiana was 41.67% and 66.67% while effect of M. anisopliae was 91.67% and 100.00% on egg stage of T. absoluta at the end of 7th and 9th days after application. In spite of that, on first larval stage of T. absoluta at the end of 9th day after application, effect of B. bassiana and M. anisopliae were 12.50% and 91.67% respectively. Consequently, this laboratory experiment suggested that M. anisopliae has a potential effect on both egg and first larval stage of T. absoluta but B. bassiana is effective just on egg stage.