Biocontrol Science and Technology (2007) 17, 111-124

William Tinzaara, Clifford S. Gold, Marcel Dicke, Arnold Van Huis, Caroline M. Nankinga, Godfrey H. Kagezi and Philip E. Ragama (2007)
The use of aggregation pheromone to enhance dissemination of Beauveria bassiana for the control of the banana weevil in Uganda
Biocontrol Science and Technology 17 (2), 111-124
Abstract: Candidate strains of Beauveria bassiana were identified for use in integrated pest management of the banana weevil Cosmopolites sordidus. Horizontal field transmission of B. bassiana between banana weevils using different delivery systems, including aggregation pheromones, was investigated. We observed that infected weevils could transmit the fungal pathogen to healthy individuals. Most dead weevils (52%) due to B. bassiana infection were found at the base of banana plants in the leaf sheath or in the soil near banana plants. Significantly more weevils died from the pathogen in plots where B. bassiana was applied in combination with the pheromone than where it was applied alone. Our data demonstrate that C. sordidus aggregation pheromone can be a valuable tool to enhance the dissemination of B. bassiana for the control of C. sordidus.
(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): William Tinzaara, Clifford S. Gold, Marcel Dicke, Arnold van Huis

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

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Cosmopolites sordidus	Banana/plantain (Musa)	Uganda
Beauveria bassiana (entomopathogen)	Cosmopolites sordidus	Banana/plantain (Musa)	Uganda