Effects of entomopathogenic fungi Metarhizium anisopliae in the control of Melanacanthus scutellaris (bean bug) and Aedes aegypti (mosquito) in Bauchi, Nigeria

Abstract

There is an increase in the global interest for the use of biological control methods against insect pests. There is paucity of studies in the developing countries especially using indigenous fungal isolates as biocontrol agent. This study was undertaken to determine the pathogenicity and virulence of indigenous Metarhizium anisopliae against Aedes aegypti and Melanocanthus scutelari which are important pests causing human fever and destroying crops particularly bean. Metarhizium anisopliae was isolated locally from the soil and was tested against these insect pests in the laboratory using the following concentrations viz: 1×10^{^5} 1×10^{^6}, 1×10^{^7} and 1×10^{^8} conidia ml- for 14day. Both insects were highly sensitive to Metarhizium anisopliae with high percentage mortality. This study showed the potential of locally sourced Metarhizium anisopliae in the control of Aedes aegypti and Melanocanthus scutelaris