Characterization and biological activity of two new entomopathogenic Beauveria bassiana strains isolated from Hyphantria cunea larvae in Turkey

Abstract

In this study, two Beauveria bassiana strains (HC-Z1 and HC-Z2) from Hyphantria cunea larvae were examined for biological characteristics and virulence, to assess their potential as a biocontrol agent for H. cunea. According to morphologic and molecular (sequences of ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 region) characterizations, the strains were identified as Beauveria bassiana (HC-Z1: OP415530 and HC-Z2: OP415531). To determine the biological activities of two fungal strains, concentration response test (1 × 104-8 conidia/ml) was performed 3rd stage of H. cunea larvae. Also, two B. bassiana strains were tested on five (1-5th) stages larvae at 1 × 107 conidia/ml. The highest mortality rates (96.24 and 97.5%) for 1st instar of H. cunea larvae were obtained by B. bassiana strain HC-Z1 and HC-Z2 within 7 days. The LC50 and LT50 of the HC-Z1 and HC-Z2 strains were calculated as 0.6 × 104 and 1.2 × 104 conidia/ml, and in 2.82 and 3.44 days respectively. These results are promising; therefore, the B. bassiana strains can potentially be used against H. cunea.