Laboratory assessment for biological control of Tribolium confusum du Val., 1863 (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) by entomopathogenic fungi

The objective of this study is to determine using as biological control agent against Tribolium confusum du Val., 1863 (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) adults of seven entomopathogenic fungal treatments, Beauveria bassiana, Paecilomyces farinosus, Isaria fumosorosea, Isaria farinosa, Lecanicillium muscarium (2 isolates) and an extract of L. muscarium, under laboratory conditions (25±1°C and 75±1% RH).Fungal isolates at two different concentrations (1x10 5 and 1×10 7 conidia/mL) were sprayed on the tested adult insects in Petri dishes.The results demonstrated that the mortality rates of T. confusum adults treated with seven entomopathogenic fungi varied from 34.6 to 100% after 10 days of treatment.The entomopathogenic fungi isolates at both 1×10 5 and 1×10 7 conidia concentration caused in high mortality levels of T. confusum adults.In conclusion, it was observed that tested seven entomopathogenic fungi isolates might have a potential effect to biological control of this stored-product pest.