BioControl (2000) 45, 79-95

S. Ekesi, N.K. Maniania and W. Lwande (2000)
Susceptibility of the legume flower thrips to Metarhizium anisopliae on different varieties of cowpea
BioControl 45 (1), 79-95
Abstract: The susceptibility of Megalurothrips sjostedti to Metarhizium anisopliae when reared onsusceptible, tolerant, and moderately resistantvarieties of cowpea at different constant temperatureswas evaluated in the laboratory. Insects were exposedeither to direct spray of the conidia or tofungus-treated floral tissues. Mortality wassignificantly higher on the moderately resistantvariety at all temperatures compared to thesusceptible and tolerant varieties. Correspondingly,lethal time and lethal concentration values weresignificantly shorter and lower, respectively, on themoderately resistant variety compared to the othervarieties, thus indicating that the two controlmethods are compatible as part of an integrated pestmanagement strategy. Thrips raised on the tolerantvariety incurred an exceptionally low level ofmortality when the inoculum was sprayed directly onthe insects or when the insects were exposed tofungus-treated floral tissues. Observations on theeffects of airborne volatiles and crude extracts ofthis variety revealed an inhibitory effect on fungalgermination, colony forming units and growth. Thissuggests the existence of anti-fungal substances inthe tolerant variety.
(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): Sunday Ekesi, Nguya K. Maniania

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.
	Megalurothrips sjostedti	Cowpea and relatives (Vigna)
Metarhizium anisopliae (entomopathogen)	Megalurothrips sjostedti	Cowpea and relatives (Vigna)