Effect of conidia and metabolites of the entomopathogenic fungus Lecanicillium muscariium on the predatory mite Amblyseius swirskii and its feed mite Carpoglyphus lactis
Keywords:
biocontrol, entomopathogenic fungi, predatory mites, greenhouse whitefly, side effects on benificialsAbstract
The main aim of this study is to assess the conditions for the joint application of the fungus Lecanicillium muscarium and the derivate of its mycelial extract verticillin M against the predatory mite Amblyseius swirskii and dried fruit mite Carpoglyphus lactis. The Lecanicillium muscarium spore suspension at concentration of 5?107 spores/ml and a laboratory sample of 0.5 % solution of verticillin M were used. Mites were maintained on the artificial feed. Both species of mites showed high sensitivity when mite-containing forage was directly surface-sprayed. Mortality on the 3rd day after application of bioformulations reached 62 % and 84 % in average for C. lactis and A. swirski, respectively, whereas the growth of mite number was recorded in the control.