Testing of Entomopathogenic Fungi in Biological Control Against Pine Weevil

Pavlik Martin, Lalik Michal, Noge Michal, Skvarenina Juraj

Abstract: Coniferous forests in Slovakia as well as in other European countries in recent decades are attacked by various harmful factors. The most important abiotic factor is the wind, which can in a short time destroy large complexes of spruce stands. After processing such calamities frequently create huge areas of afforestation, making very good conditions for pine weevil presence. It is a beetle causing a lot of damage by eating bark of the trunks of young seedlings, thereby causing a weakening or dieback of them. Actual research is focused on study of reactions of the pine weevil adult (Hylobius abietis L.) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) to infection caused by various entomopathogenic fungi species (Beauveria bassiana, Metarhizium anisopliae, Isaria fumusorosea). Beauveria bassiana is one of the longest known insect pathogens. The most significant effect in reducing of food intake has fungus Beauveria bassiana. Metarhizium anisopliae had no effect on food intake, and beetles infected with fungus Isaria fumusorosea had even increased food intake. Mortality of pine weevil has increased by fungus Beauveria bassiana, and good efficacy in this regard has also fungus Metarhizium anisopliae. Isaria fumusorosea had almost no effect ontheir mortality rate.

Keywords: Entomopathogenic fungi, Beauveria bassiana, Hylobius abietis, biological control.

Pages: 1 – 11 | Full PDF Paper