Efficacy of Metarhizium anisopliae and Some Entomopathogenic Fungi on Larvae of Fall Webworm, Hyphantria cunea (Drury) (Lepidoptera: Arctiidae)

Abstract

The fall webworm, Hyphantria cunea (Lepidoptera: Arctiidae) is a dangerous and destructive pest for forest, fruit trees and ornamental plants. Insecticides are successful to reduce population of this pest, but they cause environmental pollution. This study determined that M. anisopliae was the most efficacious in controlling second and third instars larvae of H. cunea at two methods under laboratory conditions. M. anisopliae isolate caused to pathogenicity on second instar larvae with the highest lethal effect 85% and the mortality was significantly higher than that caused by any of the other isolates. M. anisopliae caused 68.33% mortality and it was the most efficacious in controlling third instar larvae of H. cunea. The other isolates (TR-05, TR-78.07 and TR-11) found less effective on larvae of H. cunea. This study showed that isolate of M. anisopliae has virulent and highly potential for biological control on larvae of H. cunea.