Entomopathogenic microbes naturally infecting whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Genn.) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) on vegetable plants

Abstract

Twelve fungal species naturally infected B. tabaci in tomato, cucumber and cabbage fields were recorded from October (2021) to September (2022). Seven genera showed safety to plants. Five of them showed good epizootic and ability to establish themselves in the environment. Theses genera were: Beauveria bassiana, Metarhizium anisopliae, Cladosporium cladosporioides, Trichoderma longibrachiatum and Verticillium lecanii. Also, two species of Bacillus were recorded. They were identified according to 16S rRNA gene sequencing as Bacillus thuringiensis and B. velezensis. They were bioassayed for contact toxicity to both adults and the 3rd instar nymphs, and both fungal and bacterial isolates showed significant virulence qualifying them to be used as eco-friendly microbial control agents.