Journal of Pest Science (2021) 94, 111-117

Jun Li, Jiaqin Xie, Deyu Zeng, Yuxian Xia and Guoxiong Peng (2021)
Effective control of Frankliniella occidentalis by Metarhizium anisopliae CQMa421 under field conditions
Journal of Pest Science 94 (1), 111-117
Abstract: Annual economic losses of eggplant due to western flower thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis) infestations are considerable. F. occidentalis is difficult to control due to rapid proliferation rates and resistance to chemical insecticides. A more effective biological control strategy is urgently required. To assess the potential efficacy of M. anisopliae CQMa421 in the biological control of F. occidentalis on eggplant, we evaluated its virulence and insecticidal activity in the laboratory and field. The laboratory results indicated that the LT₅₀ of M. anisopliae CQMa421 against F. occidentalis at 2 × 10⁷ conidia/ml was 5.5 days. The results from the experimental field trial showed that a single spray of M. anisopliae CQMa421 reduced thrips by 50–70% compared to the control; this was significantly lower than for the chemical insecticide imidacloprid. However, the results from demonstration field trials where consecutive sprays were made indicated that M. anisopliae CQMa421 controlled the pests at a level equivalent to that obtained with a chemical insecticide. The findings clearly demonstrated the feasibility of using M. anisopliae CQMa421 as an alternative to chemical insecticides in the control of F. occidentalis under field conditions.
(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): Yuxian Xia

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.
	Frankliniella occidentalis	Eggplant (Solanum melongena)	China (south)
Metarhizium anisopliae (entomopathogen)	Frankliniella occidentalis	Eggplant (Solanum melongena)	China (south)