Management of the legume pod borer Maruca vitrata Fabricius (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) with field applications of the entomopathogenic fungus, Beauveria bassiana and a mixed formulation of the baculovirus MaviMNPV with emulsifiable neem oil

Abstract

The present study assessed the effectiveness of the entomopathogen fungus Beauveria bassiana in comparison with neem oil combined with the baculovirus MaviMNPV and a synthetic insecticide deltamethrin for the control of Maruca vitrata Fabricius under field conditions. The trial was conducted in six villages at Glazoue and Djakotomey, two districts in Benin. Four treatments consisting of (1) untreated control, (2) neem + MaviMNPV, (3) B. bassiana and (4) deltamethrin were arranged in a complete randomized block design with three replicates. Reproductive organs of cowpea plants were sampled for estimating population of M. vitrata. In spite of the importance between-field variations observed, bio-pesticides significantly reduced the population density of M. vitrata as well as its damage level. Similarly, grain yields were improved in sprayed cowpea compared to the untreated control, regardless of the experimental zone. In Glazoue, yields ranged from 724.06 ± 5.04 kg/ha (deltamethrin) to 933.03 ± 8.7 kg/ha (B. bassiana). In Djakotomey, 649.1±4.7, 611.07±5.1, 583.19±4.04 and 217.11±3.9 kg/ha were recorded for deltamethrin, B. bassiana, neem + baculovirus, and untreated control, respectively. The possibilities of the using bio-pesticides as efficient IPM components in cowpea are discussed.

Bio-Efficacy of Fusarium humuli and Fusarium incarnatum (Hypocreales: Nectriaceae) Against Larvae of Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) Under Controlled Conditions

“…Furthermore, enzymes and other compounds like beauvericin, which are partly produced using the hosts' resources are also reported to equip EPF with the ability to disrupt the insects' regular functions with immune systems in particular and ultimately result in their deaths. A similar observation was also made by Mehinto et al (2020) and Mnyone et al (2011), who also found that the EPF, B. bassiana applied to legume pod borer, Maruca vitrata Fabricius (Lepidoptera: crambidae) and Anopheles gambiae respectively were gradually killed from the second day following applications as opposed to quicker actions by their positive controls' counterparts.…”

“…On the other hand, the conventional synthetic insecticide, Banophos 720 EC (20 ml/20 L) has shown quick knockdown of S. frugiperda larvae compared to EPF formulations and negative controls respectively. This is because they underwent thorough improvements which make them more effective and broad-spectrum (Mehinto et al, 2020).…”

Field margin Plants support arthropod natural enemies in smallholder common bean farming systems in northern Tanzania

“…Furthermore, its efficacy can be increased when applied with neem oil and neem, Azadirachta indica, and Jatropha curcas extracts (Joelle et al, 2020;Sokame et al, 2015;Srinivasan et al, 2009).…”