Virulence of Entomopathogenic fungi on Immature stage (3RD Instar) of fall Armyworm spodoptera Frugiperda (lepidoptera: noctuidae) | [International Journal of Biology and Biotechnology • 2025]

Author(s):

1. Mubashar Iqbal: Department of Entomology, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of the Punjab,Lahore 54590,Pakistan

2. Shahbaz Ahmad: Department of Entomology, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of the Punjab,Lahore 54590,Pakistan

3. Muhammad Bilal Chattha: Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of the Punjab,Lahore 54590,Pakistan

4. Muhammad Ali: Department of Entomology, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of the Punjab,Lahore 54590,Pakistan

5. Furqan Mueen: Department of Entomology, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of the Punjab,Lahore 54590,Pakistan

6. Furqan Shaheen: Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of the Punjab,Lahore 54590,Pakistan

7. Muhammad Bilal Khan: Department of Entomology, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of the Punjab,Lahore 54590,Pakistan

8. Muhammad Adnan Nasir: Department of Entomology, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of the Punjab,Lahore 54590,Pakistan

9. Muhammad Irfan Akram: Department of Entomology, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of the Punjab,Lahore 54590,Pakistan

10. Muhammad Abdullah: Department of Entomology, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of the Punjab,Lahore 54590,Pakistan

11. Fida Hussain: Department of Entomology, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of the Punjab,Lahore 54590,Pakistan

12. Muhammad Muawia Jameel: Department of Entomology, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of the Punjab,Lahore 54590,Pakistan

13. Ameer Hamza: Department of Entomology, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of the Punjab,Lahore 54590,Pakistan

14. Arshad Javaid: Department of Plant Pathology, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of the Punjab,Lahore 54590,Pakistan

15. Muhammad Ashfaq: Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of the Punjab,Lahore 54590,Pakistan

16. Muhammad Mudassar: Department of Entomology, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of the Punjab,Lahore 54590,Pakistan

Abstract:

The fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), is a notorious polyphagous pest. Within a short period, this pest can cause significant damage to maize. Farmers are using widely synthetic pesticides to control fall armyworm. Further, the resistance development in insects and the non-target effect of chemicals on the environment and humans pose serious threats to using insecticides. The use of entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) is considered an important tool in integrated pest management programs. The main objective of this study was to check the impact of different conidial concentrations of fungus on mortality of S. frugiperda. From lower to higher concentrations after 2-8 days mortality rate due to Isaria fumosorosea, Aspergillus sp. Metarhizium anisopliae, and Beauveria bassiana ranges from 0.16%-53.50%, 0.23%66.90%, 3.59%-73.59% and 6.88%-80.21%, respectively at lowest to highest concentration 1×104 to 1×108. After 2-8 days LC50 values of M. anisopliae range from 1.12 x 1011-1.03 x 106 (spores/mL) B. bassiana ranges from 1.68 x 109-8.03 x 106(spores/mL) Aspergillus sp ranges from 6.8 x 109-1.8 x 107(spores/mL) I. fumosorosea ranges from 1.19 x 109-8.1 x 107 (spores/mL). The tested fungal isolates could play an essential role as microbial biopesticides in suppressing the S. frugiperda population after further investigations on their efficacy are obtained in the field.

Page(s): 795-802

DOI: DOI not available

Published: Journal: International Journal of Biology and Biotechnology, Volume: 22, Issue: 4, Year: 2025

Keywords:

Mortality , Aspergillus , Beauveria bassiana , virulence , Metarhizium anisopliae , Spodoptera frugiperda , Isaria fumosorosea

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