White grub (Coleoptera: Melolonthidae) mortality induced by Ophiocordyceps melolonthae

Abstract

The occurrence of white grub roots in soybean crops in the South of Brazil has gradually increased. However, there is not information on the biological control of grubs by entomopathogenic fungi. This study aimed to induce infection by Ophiocordyceps melolonthae and analyze longevity in Cyclocephala modesta and Dyscinetus gagates larvae (Coleoptera: Melolonthidae). In the laboratory, Cyclocephala modesta and Dyscinetus gagates had a mortality rate of 85% and 75%, respectively.

First record of Ophiocordyceps dipterigena (Ascomycota: Hypocreales: Ophiocordycipitaceae) infecting adults of Melanagromyza sojae (Diptera: Agromyzidae) in Brazil

“…To date, most biocontrol products are obtained from few fungi species, none of which have been developed from fungi belonging to Ophiocordyceps. The potential of Ophiocordyceps as a biological control agent of crop pests has been previously explored by SALGADO-NETO et al (2017b) …”