Efficacy of Beauveria bassiana (Deuteromycotina: Hypomycetes) against different aphid species under laboratory conditions.

In the recent study, the entomopathogenic fungus, Beauveria bassiana was used to evaluate its pathogenecity against adults of different aphid species i.e., Schizaphis graminum, Rhopalosiphum padi, Brevicoryne brassicae and Lipaphis erysimi, and their natural enemy Coccinella septempunctata. B. bassiana was found effective at all concentrations i.e., 1x10(6), 1x10(7) and 1x10(8) spores/ml on all aphid species, but the uppermost concentration (1x10(8) spores/ml) provided maximum control within short period of time (P less than 0.0001). B. bassiana with LC50 value of 6.28 x 10(5) proved to be lethal to B. brassicae after 3rd day. Mortality of L. erysimi was observed maximum on highest concentration of 1x10(8) spores/ml with LC50 value of 1.36 x 10(6), while the LT50 values were in range of 2.19-3.73 days for different aphid species treated at various concentrations. B. bassiana showed little or no detrimental effects to C. septempunctata. By testing the field efficacy of B. bassiana against aphid species, this insect pathogenic fungus can be used as potential biocontrol agent for the management of aphids.