Evaluation of binary mixtures of entomogenous fungi and botanicals on biological parameters of Culex pipiens (Diptera: Culicidae) under laboratory and field conditions

Abstract

Present study was conducted to evaluate binary mixtures of Beauveria bassiana (isolates Bb-01, Bb-10), Metarhizium anisopliae var. anisopliae (isolates Ma-11.1, Ma-2.4) and Isaria fumosorosea (isolates If-2.3, If-02) and botanicals extracts of Azadirachta indica, Syzygium cumini, Acacia nilotica, Capsicum annum, Coriandrum sativum and Mentha longifolia against 3rd instar larvae of Culex pipiens and the after effects on its progeny under laboratory and field conditions. The results revealed that the mixtures containing Bb-01 (LC40) + A. indica (LC40) showed maximum percent mortality, pupal duration, percent emergence and reduced percent pupation, followed by Ma-11.1 (LC40) + A. indica (LC40), while sex ratio of all treatments were non-significantly different. Entomopathogenic fungi showed synergistic effect when mixed with botanicals and provide a good management of C. pipiens under both field and laboratory conditions. This eco-friendly approach can be used for better management of mosquitoes under field conditions.