• The effect of Metarhizium robertsii and Bacillus thuringiensis against Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

    S. Mantzoukas

    1. Laboratory of Plant Protection and Pharmacology, Department of Agricultural Technology, Technological Educational Institute of Western Greece, Amaliada Greece.
    2 . Department of Pharmacy, School of Health Sciences, University of Patras, Patras 26504, Greece.

    Abstract: Susceptibility of Helicoverpa armigera populations to Metarhizium robertsii and Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) were evaluated under laboratory conditions. Helicoverpa armigera larvae were treated individually and in combination with a single dose rate of B. thuringiensis (Bt: 1 ml/L) and three conidial suspensions viz. 1×103, 1×105 and 1×107 spores/ml of  M. robertsii. Compared with the untreated checks, pupation, adult emergence and egg eclosion of both instars larvae were significantly reduced in combined application treatment of M. robertsii (1×107 spores/ml) and B. thuringiensis (1 ml/L). The results indicate that the entomopathogenic fungi and the insecticidal protein produced by B. thuringiensis can be used as potential biocontrol agents for the management of maize stem borer.

    Keywords: Bacillus thuringiensis, biological control, Helicoverpa armigera, Metarhizium anisopliae, tomato.

    Pages: 136 – 146 | Full PDF Paper