Journal of Pest Science (2011) 84, 337-342

Fikret Demirci, Murat Mustu, M. Bora Kaydan and Selma Ülgentürk (2011)
Laboratory evaluation of the effectiveness of the entomopathogen; Isaria farinosa, on citrus mealybug, Planococcus citri
Journal of Pest Science 84 (3), 337-342
Abstract: Citrus mealybug Planococcus citri (Risso) (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) is one of the main pests on citrus trees. Biological control of the pest is based on the release of hymenopterous parasitoids and coccinellid predators at present. The effectiveness of entomopathogen fungus Isaria farinosa (Holmsk.) Fries ([Sordariomycetes: Hypocreales] (Syn: Paecilomyces farinosus), as an alternative biological control agent on citrus mealybug, was investigated using four different inoculum densities and different relative humidities (RH). The entomopathogen caused 89.39% mortality in ovisacs, 84.07% mortality in second larval stage, 84.53% mortality in adult females, and 78.71% mortality in first larval stage at 95% RH and at 1 × 10⁸ conidia ml⁻¹ inoculum concentration. Percent mortalities were between 50 and 60 in ovisac, first and second larval stage at 95% RH and at 1 × 10⁷ conidia ml⁻¹. Percent mortality was decreased parallel to the decrease in humidity level and inoculum densities; however, the fungus caused significant infection in 70% and 80% RH. These results demonstrated that the effectiveness of the entomopathogen is promising for biocontrol of citrus mealybug.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Fikret Demirci, Mehmet Bora Kaydan, Murat Mustu

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
evaluation - screening - selection

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Planococcus citri	Citrus (genus)
Cordyceps farinosa (entomopathogen)	Planococcus citri