Efecto de la toxina beauvericina sobre Hypothenemus hampei

Effect of the toxin beauvericin on Hypothenemus hampei. Beauvericin (BEA) is a toxin produced by the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana, a pathogenic agent used in the biological control of plagues. It has been demonstrated that this toxin is involved during the infection process of the host insect by B. bassiana. In this study, the effect of beauvericin was evaluated by immersion and topical application on larvae and adults of Hypothenemus hampei, respectively, by using concentrations of 25, 50 and 75 ng/ml of toxin in days 1, 3 and 5. The bioassays were incubated at 27 ± 1oC and a RH of between 75-80%. Mortality and individual displacement were evaluated daily. Results did not show significant statistical difference of the toxic effect on adults, but effects on first instar larvae were detected. These results suggest that the toxic effect of BEA was more effective on larvae than on the adults, showing a mortality rate of less than 10% on day 1, more than 30% on days 3 and 5, and more than 50% on day 8.