Abstract:

Virulence of Entomopathogenic Fungi and Bacteria against Stored Product Pests Entomopathogenic microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, viruses, nematodes and protozoa play an important role for regulation of insect pest populations and, this leads to use these microorganisms as biological control agents against pest species as an alternative to chemicals insecticides. In this study, we tested different bacteria originated from stored product pests and fungi isolated from different sources against two important stored product pests, Acanthoscelides obtectus (Say) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) and Callosobruchus maculatus (F) (Coleoptera: Bruchidae), under laboratory conditions. Based on the laboratory screening, the highest mortality against A. obtectus within bacteria and fungi was obtained from Staphylococcus kloosii Fbe-10 with 73% and Lecanicillium muscarium ARSEF3600, Beauveria pseudobassiana ARSEF8664 and, Beauveria bassiana ARSEF8668 with 100%, respectively. Also, the highest mycosis within fungi was obtained from Lecanicillium muscarium ARSEF3600 and Beauveria bassiana ARSEF8668 with 100%. The highest mortality against C. maculatus within bacteria and fungi was obtained from Bacillus pumilus Be-2with 57% and Lecanicillium muscarium ARSEF3600, Beauveria pseudobassiana ARSEF8664 and, Beauveria bassiana ARSEF8668 with 100%, respectively. Also, the highest mycosis within fungi was obtained from Beauveria bassiana ARSEF8668 with 90%. These results showed that the fungal isolates used in this study seem to be more effective than bacteria and, should be further investigated in terms of developing microbial control agent against stored product pests

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