Pathogenic Response of Entomopathogenic Fungal Strains on Larvae of Fall Armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda).

The overuse and unjustified use of chemical pesticides pose a great threat not only to the environment and natural enemies in the agro-ecosystem but also to human health, such as cancer, skin, and respiratory disease. To avoid such an incidence, the use of alternative chemical pesticides is dire. In this situation, using the green control method by using biopesticides is a safe and climate-smart method for insect control. In the current experiment, we observed the pathogenicity of different entomopathogenic fungal strains. We found that fungal strains have potential and could be used against the tested insect "fall armyworm (FAW) Spodoptera frugiperda" early larval instar to manage pest populations below the economic injury level. For this Beauveria bassiana strain (Bb885 & 86), Cordyceps cicadae, Metarhizium anisopliae strain (73&42) and Paecilomyces fumosoroseus were observed. We found that the B. bassiana strain (Bb885), C. cicadae, and M. anisopliae 73 were more lethal to larvae of FAW, with maximum spore concentration against early second instar larvae. However, further experiments are required to observe the fungal pathogenicity potential on different life parameters that would be more helpful in the management of FAW control in agro-forestry ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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