Entomopathogenic fungi as a potential control agent against the lesser mealworm, Alphitobius diaperinus in broiler houses

Abstract

We tested the pathogenicity of 18 Metarhizium anisopliae (Metschn.) Sorokin isolates and 22 Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) Vuillemin isolates against Alphitobius diaperinus (Panzer) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) larvae and adults. The efficacy of the most virulent isolate-M. anisopliae K-was evaluated in containers with a concrete bottom covered with wood shavings, under simulated poultry house conditions. Application of conidia of this isolate to the shavings or directly to the concrete bottom reduced the yield of larvae in 8-15 time compared with the control. In another test, the mortality of mature larvae placed on previously inoculated shavings or bottom reached 80-90% within 14 days, compared with 14% in the control. The residual activity of conidia kept at 28°C retained its initial level during 14 days postinoculation, but declined after three weeks. Based on our data M. anisopliae has considerable potential for the control of A. diaperinus.

Pyroclastic material from the Puyehue-Cordon-Caulle Volcanic Complex, Chile, as carrier of Beauveria bassiana conidia: Potential utilization in mycoinsecticide formulations

“…That level of mortality is high, compared to other studies evaluating the effects of B. bassiana on darkling beetles [29].…”

Naturally Occurring Entomopathogenic Fungi Infecting Stored Grain Insect Species in Punjab, Pakistan

“…In support of this statement, Alston et al. (2005) and Gindin et al. (2009) reported the differences in the larval mortality of Plum curculio, Conotrachelus nenuphar (Herbst) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), and Lesser mealworm, Alphitobius diaperinus (Panzer) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae), by the application of entomopathogenic fungi.…”

Advances and Perspectives of the use of the entomopathogenic fungi beauveria bassiana and metarhizium anisopliae for the control of arthropod pests in poultry production

“…In addition of evaluating lesser mealworm mortality caused by M. anisopliae (74% in larvae after 48h), the authors studied the relationship between the time of contact of the lesser mealworm with conidium adhesion, establishing a statistical model that can be used for this evaluation. Gindin et al (2009) carried out different laboratory studies in Israel, demonstrating that the application of M. anisopliae on new litter caused 90% of lesser mealworm larvae mortality, and had a residual effect of up to 14 days. New litter consists only of woodshavings spread on the poultry house floor, whereas reused litter contains waste generated during growout that negatively affect fungus efficiency.…”