Mycopathologia (2009) 167, 221-227

David Mugisho Bugeme, Markus Knapp, Hamadi Iddi Boga, Anthony Kibira Wanjoya and Nguya Kalemba Maniania (2009)
Influence of temperature on virulence of fungal isolates of Metarhizium anisopliae and Beauveria bassiana to the two-spotted spider mite Tetranychus urticae
Mycopathologia 167 (4), 221-227
Abstract: Twenty-three isolates of Metarhizium anisopliae (Metschnikoff) Sokorin and three isolates of Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) Vuillemin (Ascomycota: Hypocreales: Clavicipitaceae) were assessed for their virulence against the two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae). Based on the screening results, nine isolates of M. anisopliae and two isolates of B. bassiana were tested for their virulence against young adult (1- to 2-day-old) female T. urticae at constant temperatures of 20, 25, 30 and 35°C. At all temperatures tested, all the fungal isolates were pathogenic to T. urticae but mortality varied with isolates and temperatures. Fungal isolates were more virulent at 25, 30 and 35°C than at 20°C. The lethal time to 50% mortality (LT₅₀) and lethal time to 90% mortality (LT₉₀) values decreased with increased temperature. There were no significant differences in virulence between fungal isolates at 30 and 35°C; however, significant differences were observed at 20 and 25°C.
(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): Markus Knapp, Nguya K. Maniania

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

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Tetranychus urticae
Beauveria bassiana (entomopathogen)	Tetranychus urticae
Metarhizium anisopliae (entomopathogen)	Tetranychus urticae