and their virulence on the termite, M. diversus. Olive oil formulations had the highest
average conidial germination while the sesame oil formulation had the lowest
germination. The highest mean termite mortality (91.25%) was obtained with the
sesame oil formulation and the lowest (58.33%) with control formulation. The
lowest LT50 and LC50 occurred with the sesame oil formulation in contrast to
other treatments.
11.7 Vegetable and Greenhouse Pests
Vegetable and greenhouse production is very common in Iran, but allows for a rapid
spread of different pests such as aphids. Chemical pesticides are the most commonly
used methods in vegetable farms and greenhouses, but environmental concerns as
well as adverse effects on human health and other organisms, while public desire for
vegetables and fruits with minimal pesticide application has restricted pesticide
usage in vegetable farms. To date, various isolates of A. muscarius, A. lecanii,
B. bassiana and M. anisopliae have been tested to control aphids and other pests
in Iran (Table 11.3). In general, these studies have shown promising results for some
important pest in the country.
Rashki and Kharazi-Pakdel (2010) studied the behavior of the green peach aphid,
M. persicae when it encountered B. bassiana conidia. Green peach aphid was able to
recognize and avoid B. bassiana conidia. However, fungus transmission did occur.
Numbers of recovered aphids on eggplants containing fungus between undamaged
and damaged eggplants were significantly different. Fungus transmission occurred
during aphid colonization. There was no significant difference in proportion of
sporulating cadavers on damaged and undamaged eggplants. Mean number of
sporulating cadavers on damaged and undamaged plants were 5.25 and
4, respectively.
Biological control of Aphis fabae (Hemiptera: Aphididae) and B. tabaci with
Ferula assa-foetida extract and entomopathogenic fungus A. muscarius was
performed by Zamani et al. (unpublished). After 5, 7 and 9 days, the percentage
mortality in treatments with A. muscarius (1 Â 10
8 conidia ml
À1 ) were 17.3%, 25%,
36% for A. fabae and 24%, 28.8% and 40.7% for B. tabaci, respectively. Sprays with
F. assa-foetida suspension caused 18.6%, 27.1% and 40.96% for A. fabae, and 32%,
35.7% and 38.1% for B. tabaci after 5, 7 and 9 days.
Biocontrol efficiency of Planococcus citri (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) by
A. dipterigenus and A. lecanii under laboratory and greenhouse conditions was
studied by Ghaffari et al. (2017). Nymphal stages of P. citri were more susceptible
than adults to fungal infection. Susceptibility at all stages was dose dependent. This
study indicated that the entomopathogenic fungi A. dipterigenus and A. lecanii are
potentially useful biological control agents for the citrus mealybug.
Valizadeh et al. (2017) investigated the responses of a new cell line from
hemocytes of rose sawfly Arge ochropus (Hymenoptera: Argidae) to spores of
B. bassiana. The changes in cell number and morphology in response to treatment
11 Fungal Entomopathogens of Order Hypocreales
463
average conidial germination while the sesame oil formulation had the lowest
germination. The highest mean termite mortality (91.25%) was obtained with the
sesame oil formulation and the lowest (58.33%) with control formulation. The
lowest LT50 and LC50 occurred with the sesame oil formulation in contrast to
other treatments.
11.7 Vegetable and Greenhouse Pests
Vegetable and greenhouse production is very common in Iran, but allows for a rapid
spread of different pests such as aphids. Chemical pesticides are the most commonly
used methods in vegetable farms and greenhouses, but environmental concerns as
well as adverse effects on human health and other organisms, while public desire for
vegetables and fruits with minimal pesticide application has restricted pesticide
usage in vegetable farms. To date, various isolates of A. muscarius, A. lecanii,
B. bassiana and M. anisopliae have been tested to control aphids and other pests
in Iran (Table 11.3). In general, these studies have shown promising results for some
important pest in the country.
Rashki and Kharazi-Pakdel (2010) studied the behavior of the green peach aphid,
M. persicae when it encountered B. bassiana conidia. Green peach aphid was able to
recognize and avoid B. bassiana conidia. However, fungus transmission did occur.
Numbers of recovered aphids on eggplants containing fungus between undamaged
and damaged eggplants were significantly different. Fungus transmission occurred
during aphid colonization. There was no significant difference in proportion of
sporulating cadavers on damaged and undamaged eggplants. Mean number of
sporulating cadavers on damaged and undamaged plants were 5.25 and
4, respectively.
Biological control of Aphis fabae (Hemiptera: Aphididae) and B. tabaci with
Ferula assa-foetida extract and entomopathogenic fungus A. muscarius was
performed by Zamani et al. (unpublished). After 5, 7 and 9 days, the percentage
mortality in treatments with A. muscarius (1 Â 10
8 conidia ml
À1 ) were 17.3%, 25%,
36% for A. fabae and 24%, 28.8% and 40.7% for B. tabaci, respectively. Sprays with
F. assa-foetida suspension caused 18.6%, 27.1% and 40.96% for A. fabae, and 32%,
35.7% and 38.1% for B. tabaci after 5, 7 and 9 days.
Biocontrol efficiency of Planococcus citri (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) by
A. dipterigenus and A. lecanii under laboratory and greenhouse conditions was
studied by Ghaffari et al. (2017). Nymphal stages of P. citri were more susceptible
than adults to fungal infection. Susceptibility at all stages was dose dependent. This
study indicated that the entomopathogenic fungi A. dipterigenus and A. lecanii are
potentially useful biological control agents for the citrus mealybug.
Valizadeh et al. (2017) investigated the responses of a new cell line from
hemocytes of rose sawfly Arge ochropus (Hymenoptera: Argidae) to spores of
B. bassiana. The changes in cell number and morphology in response to treatment
11 Fungal Entomopathogens of Order Hypocreales
463