Pathogenicity of the fungus Metarrhizium anisopliae (Metsch.) Sorok for pupae and adults of Apanteles flavipes (Cam.).

Abstract

The aim for this work was to determine the pathogenicity of Metarrhizium anisopliae (Hyphomycetes: Moniliales) for pupae and adults of Apanteles flavipes (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), since both have been applied in integrated control programs in Brazil. Adult parasitoids were released inside flasks with surfaces treated with a conidial suspension with 107 viable M. anisopliae spores/ml of water. Nearly 43% of the parasitoids were killed. In another bioassay where parasitoid cocoons were sprayed with M. anisopliae spore suspension, parasitoids were not infected and up to 80% of the adults emerged. Thus, the simultaneous application of both agents in any ingrated pest management should be made with care, aiming to avoid the application of the fungus in periods of adult parasites release.