Journal of Pest Science (2021) 94, 393-407

Abdullah Mohamed Mkiga, Samira Abuelgasim Mohamed, Hannalene du Plessis, Fathiya Mbarak Khamis, Komivi Senyo Akutse, Peterson Wachira Nderitu, Saliou Niassy, Beatrice Wambui Muriithi and Sunday Ekesi (2021)
Compatibility and efficacy of Metarhizium anisopliae and sex pheromone for controlling Thaumatotibia leucotreta
Journal of Pest Science 94 (2), 393-407
Abstract: A sound IPM management for false codling moth (FCM), Thaumatotibia leucotreta, a devastating pest threatening horticultural production in Africa, is urgently needed. The compatibility of the dry conidia of virulent fungal isolate, Metarhizium anisopliae ICIPE 69 with FCM sex pheromone (Crytrack^®) in the autoinoculation was assessed. The effect of the pheromone on the conidial germination was monitored for 4 weeks under field conditions. The multilocation trial was implemented in Machakos and Makueni counties in Kenya to test the efficacy of M. anisopliae ICIPE 69 and Last Call FCM^® for T. leucotreta control in orange orchards. The treatments evaluated were (1) M. anisopliae ICIPE 69 (Campaign^® and dry conidia); (2) Last Call FCM^®; (3) M. anisopliae ICIPE 69 (Campaign^® and dry conidia) and Last Call FCM^®; and (4) Untreated control orchards. Results show that the conidial viability is not affected by the pheromone. For the multilocation FCM control trial, all treated orchards recorded a significant reduction in the FCM population and consequently fruit infestation, relative to the control (no intervention). FCM infested fruits were 18, 27, 5, and 49% in the treatments 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively, in Machakos, and 24, 31, 7, and 54% for treatments 1, 2, 3 and 4 in Makueni. The highest marketable yield was recorded in orchards that received treatment 3 for both counties. The yield was 10,880.68 and 11,192.26 kg orange fruit/ha for Machakos and Makueni, respectively. The implication for the management of FCM is discussed in light of the findings of this study.
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Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Sunday Ekesi

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
pheromones/attractants/traps
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
application technology

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Thaumatotibia leucotreta	Citrus (genus)	Kenya
Metarhizium anisopliae (entomopathogen)	Thaumatotibia leucotreta	Citrus (genus)	Kenya