In vitro susceptibility of the pea leafminer liriomyza huidobrensis pupae to entomopathogenic Heterorhabditis indica and Beauveria bassiana

• Published in: Lebanese science journal Vol. 16; no. 2; pp. 19 - 26
• Main Authors: Noujeim, Elise, Sakr, Joe, al-Sayigh, Dyanah, Nimr, Nabil
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Beirut, Lebanon National Council for Scientific Research 2015
• ISSN: 1561-3410; 2413-371X

Given the substantial economic losses associated with various aspects of Liriomyza huidobrensis Blanchard feeding on different crops in Lebanon as well as the ability of this pest to rapidly develop resistance to insecticides, the current study attempted to use biological control agents in vitro to manage this pest. For this reason, sensibility of L. huidobrensis pupae was tested against indigeneous entomopathogenic nematode (Heterorhabditis indica) and fungus (Beauveria bassiana). Entomopathogenic nematode solution at 1000 IJs per mL was placed in contact with Liriomyza pupae on one hand and pupae of L. huidobrensis in direct contact with B. bassiana at the rate of 5000, 500, 50 and 5 spores/pupa on the other hand. Results showed a mortality of 53±1.5% for the Liriomyza pupae following the application of entomopathogenic nematodes characterized by a red color and bioluminescence without any emergence of infective juvenile nematodes, one month following the infestation. Treatments with B. bassiana were able to kill 73-97% of the pupae and similarly treatments with B. bassiana and the surfactant Tween 80 were able to kill 73-93% of the pupae. Tween 80 demonstrated to increase the sporulation rate iduring the first 7 days following the application of the spores of B. bassiana.