Native Entomopathogenic Fungi Isolated from Duzce, Turkey and their Virulence on the Mealworm Beetle [Tenebrio molitor L. (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae)]

Abstract

Karaborklu, Salih/0000-0003-4737-853XWOS: 000467889200009Native entomopathogenic fungi were isolated from Duzce province of Turkey and their virulence was tested against Tenebrio molitor larvae using direct spraying and grain spraying methods. Forty-five isolates were obtained. Beauveria bassiana was obtained from 24.07% of the soil samples and Metarhizium anisopliae from 11.11% of the soil samples. The level of insecticidal activity of the isolates fluctuated between 20% and 100%, when directly sprayed on the larvae. In the direct spray application, the most effective isolates were B. bassiana YK11, YK16, M. anisopliae YK43, YK44 and YK45. These isolates caused 100% mortality on the larvae of T. molitor at 168 h. In 12 isolates, there was 100% mortality at 240 h under laboratory condition. Lethal time (LT50) of B. bassiana and M. anisopliae isolates varied from 10.48 to 127.40 h. Virulence of the fungal isolates in 3% (w/v) aqueous suspension was lower than that in the 10% aqueous (w/v) suspension in the grain spray application. Virulence of fungal isolates was significant in 10% aqueous suspension and 93.33% and 100% mortality were observed in B. bassiana YK23 and YK26, respectively, at 240 h. B. bassiana and M. anisopliae isolates showed promising effectiveness for the control of insect pests.Duzce University Scientific Research Projects UnitDuzce University [2017.11.02.651]The authors thank the Duzce University Scientific Research Projects Unit (Project No. 2017.11.02.651) for the support, and Dr. Khawar Jabran for the language edit prior to submission of the article for publication