Evaluation of Six Entomopathogenic Fungi Against Grapholita molesta (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) in Laboratory Conditions

Virulence of six entomopathogenic fungi was assessed against the 1st instar larva (<5 h old) of oriental fruit moth Grapholita molesta (Busck) in laboratory which is considered as an important pest for stone fruits. Three strains of Beauveria bassiana and each strain of Metarhizium robertsii, Metarhizium bruneum, and Isaria farinosa were evaluated with the concentration of 1×108 conidia/mL at 95.9% RH and 25.4°C by glass scintillation vial assay. Among all, two strains of B. bassiana, ARP14 (87.5%) and A (unpublished) (72.7%), showed highest virulence with 9.8 and 12.6 h of LT50 within 16 h of exposure. However, B. bassiana A showed highest infection rate of 90.0% compare to ARP14 (70.0%) after 14 days. From these results, the two strains of B. bassiana, ARP14 and A, can be used for the control of G. molesta.