Evaluation of Metarhizium anisopliae (Deuteromycota: Hyphomycetes) for control of broad mite Polyphagotarsonemus latus (Acari: Tarsonemidae) in mulberry.
A study on 12 entomopathogenic fungi for controlling broad mite (Polyphagotarsonemus latus (Banks)) in mulberry found that Metarhizium anisopliae CKM-048 was the most virulent strain in controlling both larvae and adult broad mites at the concentration of 2 x 10(8) conidia/ml. There was no ovicidal effect when tested with broad mite eggs. Median lethal concentrations (LC(50)) of M. anisopliae in killing larvae and adults were 8.7 x 10(6) and 1.3 x 10(7 )conidia/ml, respectively. Median lethal times (LT(50)) of larvae and adults were 2.4 and 3.8 days, respectively, at the concentration of 2 x 10(8) conidia/ml. The fungus was found to produce protease and chitinase. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) studies were done to monitor the infection steps of the fungus on broad mites. A greenhouse test on mulberry trees revealed that M. anisopliae could reduce the broad mite population within 4 days after treatment. However, after 7 days, its efficacy was decreased significantly.
Maketon
Monchan
M
Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, 10900, Thailand. fscimcm@ku.ac.th
Orosz-Coghlan
Patricia
P
Sinprasert
Jittranon
J
D000818:Animals; D054884:Host-Pathogen Interactions; D007814:Larva / Q000382:microbiology; D007928:Lethal Dose 50; D052981:Metarhizium / Q000201:enzymology / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D008925:Mites / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000502:physiology; D031625:Morus / Q000469:parasitology*; D010063:Ovum / Q000382:microbiology; D010572:Pest Control, Biological