Influence of the entomopathogenic fungus Isaria fumosorosea on Axinoscymnus cardilobus (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) under laboratory conditions

Abstract

Effects of entomopathogenic fungus Isaria fumosorosea on biological characteristics and life table parameters of Axinoscymnus cardilobus, a predator of whiteflies, were studied using five different conidial concentrations under laboratory conditions. Non-significant differences were observed among different fungal concentrations on the percent survival of all immature stages. The survival of A. cardilobus on different host plants did not differ significantly. The prey consumption of third instar A. cardilobus on Bemisia tabaci treated with different fungal concentrations differed significantly at different time intervals. The developmental periods for all immature stages (from eggs, first, second, third, fourth instar nymph and pupae up to emergence) among the treatments were not statistically significant when compared to that of control. In the present study, fecundity, longevity, egg viability and life table parameters of females were not statistically significant over the different concentrations. It can be concluded that control strategies tested are compatible to a greater extent and incorporation of these have promising prospects for control of whitefly.

Keywords:

• Isaria fumosorosea
• Axinoscymnus cardilobus
• biological characteristics
• life table

Acknowledgements

This research was funded by grants from the National Basic Research Program (called 973 Program) (No. 2006CB102005), South China Agricultural President Foundation (No. 2006K06349).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Shaukat Ali

Fucai Zhou and Shaukat Ali contributed equally to this study and are regarded as joint first authors