caused the highest mortality and sporulation on cadavers at 25–30
C and 75% RH
but there were no significant differences for Ma 437C under the same conditions. In
addition, there was no significant difference in adult mortality between temperatures
for both fungi.
In a study of the virulence of ten Iranian isolates of B. bassiana and M. anisopliae
against Anopheles stephensi (Diptera: Culicidae) larvae, Fakor-ziba et al. (2014)
showed that B. bassiana isolate 429C and B. bassiana isolate 796C were the most
virulent isolates of B. bassiana causing 100% larval mortality. The most efficient
isolate among M. anisopliae was Ma 1018C. Veys-Behbahani et al. (2014) subsequently recommended isolate Iran 429C of B. bassiana for the control of Anophele
larvae.
Sharififard et al. (2014) tested a conidia-dust formulation of M. anisopliae prepared in proportions of 1%, 5%, 10%, 25%, 50% and 100% with the carrier of wheat
flour to biocontrol the cockroach Supella longipalpa (Blattaria: Blattellidae). They
found that with an increased proportion of conidia from 1% to 100%, the cockroach
survival times (ST50) decreased from 1% to 25% but mortality and survival time at
proportions of 25%, and above were not significantly different from each other. The
conidia dust-formulation of M. anisopliae isolate IRAN 437C showed a promising
alternative to control the brown-banded cockroach. In a similar work, Sharififard
et al. (2016) founded that M. anisopliae IRAN 437C was the most virulent isolate
against the brown-banded cockroach, S. longipalpa, causing 100% mortality in
adults at seven days post-exposure. Moreover, they found treating surfaces with
conidia as an aqueous suspension or oil-in- water formulation was more effective
than the bait formulation against the cockroach, causing 39–97% mortality after two
days. Spraying the conidia formulated with sunflower oil was an effective formulation causing 76% reduction in the cockroach density on the third day post treatment
in the houses.
11.10 Conclusion
To date, numerous EPFs have been isolated and identified from various ecosystems
of the country. It is evident that many of these fungi naturally regulate population
density of a wide range of arthropod pests attacking human health or their agricultural products. Generally, EPFs are safe and can be specific for restricted virulence
on a narrow range of arthropods. The application of fungi as bio-insecticides seems
to have developed rapidly where chemical control is impractical or restricted.
There are yet many challenges which limit and restrict the EPFs usage in the field.
By contrast, there are few successful practices in aphids, whiteflies, locusts and
grasshoppers by these biological agents. Research developments that enhance the
use of fungi and their efficacy in pest control of the country should address the
following items.
470
H. Askary et al.
C and 75% RH
but there were no significant differences for Ma 437C under the same conditions. In
addition, there was no significant difference in adult mortality between temperatures
for both fungi.
In a study of the virulence of ten Iranian isolates of B. bassiana and M. anisopliae
against Anopheles stephensi (Diptera: Culicidae) larvae, Fakor-ziba et al. (2014)
showed that B. bassiana isolate 429C and B. bassiana isolate 796C were the most
virulent isolates of B. bassiana causing 100% larval mortality. The most efficient
isolate among M. anisopliae was Ma 1018C. Veys-Behbahani et al. (2014) subsequently recommended isolate Iran 429C of B. bassiana for the control of Anophele
larvae.
Sharififard et al. (2014) tested a conidia-dust formulation of M. anisopliae prepared in proportions of 1%, 5%, 10%, 25%, 50% and 100% with the carrier of wheat
flour to biocontrol the cockroach Supella longipalpa (Blattaria: Blattellidae). They
found that with an increased proportion of conidia from 1% to 100%, the cockroach
survival times (ST50) decreased from 1% to 25% but mortality and survival time at
proportions of 25%, and above were not significantly different from each other. The
conidia dust-formulation of M. anisopliae isolate IRAN 437C showed a promising
alternative to control the brown-banded cockroach. In a similar work, Sharififard
et al. (2016) founded that M. anisopliae IRAN 437C was the most virulent isolate
against the brown-banded cockroach, S. longipalpa, causing 100% mortality in
adults at seven days post-exposure. Moreover, they found treating surfaces with
conidia as an aqueous suspension or oil-in- water formulation was more effective
than the bait formulation against the cockroach, causing 39–97% mortality after two
days. Spraying the conidia formulated with sunflower oil was an effective formulation causing 76% reduction in the cockroach density on the third day post treatment
in the houses.
11.10 Conclusion
To date, numerous EPFs have been isolated and identified from various ecosystems
of the country. It is evident that many of these fungi naturally regulate population
density of a wide range of arthropod pests attacking human health or their agricultural products. Generally, EPFs are safe and can be specific for restricted virulence
on a narrow range of arthropods. The application of fungi as bio-insecticides seems
to have developed rapidly where chemical control is impractical or restricted.
There are yet many challenges which limit and restrict the EPFs usage in the field.
By contrast, there are few successful practices in aphids, whiteflies, locusts and
grasshoppers by these biological agents. Research developments that enhance the
use of fungi and their efficacy in pest control of the country should address the
following items.
470
H. Askary et al.