Initial Evaluation of the Entomopathogenic Fungi Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium robertsii , and the Entomopathogenic Nematode Heterorhabditis bacteriophora , Individually and in Combination against the Noxious Helicoverpa armigera (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

The Old-World bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), is a significant threat to crops worldwide and has become resistant to traditional synthetic insecticides. The present study investigated the pathogenicity of the entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) Metarhizium robertsii (Hypocreales: Clavicipitaceae) strain WG-04 or Beauveria bassiana (Hypocreales: Cordycipitaceae) strain WG-10, and an entomopathogenic nematode (EPN) species Heterorhabditis bacteriophora against the second and fourth instar larvae of H. armigera. Both fungal species and H. bacteriophora were evaluated, singly or in combination. After 24 and 48 h post-application of the fungal spores (106 spores/mL), H. bacteriophora was introduced at a rate of 50 infective juveniles/mL, and mortality was observed at 3-, 5-, and 7-days post-treatment. Adult emergence, egg hatching, and percentage pupation were recorded. The integration of both types of biocontrol agents exhibited additive and synergistic interactions in larval stages, and enhanced mortality was recorded when EPF was used in combination with the nematodes. In the individual application of all three biocontrol agents alone, the order of efficacy was H. bacteriophora > B. bassiana > M. robertsii; however, in joint treatments, the increase in mortality and decrease in percentage egg hatching, pupation, and adult emergence was determined to be directly linked to the exposure period of the H. bacteriophora. The results of this study suggest that combining H. bacteriophora with EPF could provide a solid foundation for an economically viable method for managing H. armigera larvae in chickpea fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]