Effect of the Entomopathogenic Fungus, Paceilomyces Farinosus (Dicks ex fr.) on the Reproductive Potential of Melasoma Populi L.

The effect of the Entomopathogenic fungus, Paceilomyces farinosus on reproductive potential of female survivors, egg viability and total egg production of poplar leaf beetle Melasoma populi L. was investigated in Plant Protection Department laboratories, School of Plant Production, Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry, Duhok University in Spring 2011. Prepupae, pupae and newly emerged adults were treated with spore suspension of P. farinosus (1 × 108 conidia/mL). Another group of adults were reared on sprayed poplar leaves with a same concentration of conidial suspension. Eggs production and hatching percentage were monitored daily over a 7-wk period. Overall reproductive capacity was significantly lower as compared with control. The total number of eggs per surviving female was 85.50, 149.50, 123.43 and 280.24 eggs for pre-pupa, pupa, adult and leaves treated, respectively as compared with 299.75 in control after fourth week. Pre-oviposition, ovipostion, post-oviposition days and the longevity of females and males were shorter in treated individuals compared with control. The lowest percentage hatching was 75.12% in eggs deposited by adults feed on treated leaves as compared with 98.42% in control.