Preliminary study on virulence of some isolates of entomopathogenic fungi in different developmental stages ofBoophilus annulatus in Iran

To evaluate the virulance of 11 isolates of native entomopathogenic fungi as biocontrolagent of Boophilus annulatus, in this study, 4 three months old calves were used for tick rearing.Different developmental stages of the ticks, Boophilus annulatus were inoculated by 107conidia/ml dilution of the fungal isolates in the presence of control groups. The mortality, egghatchability and reproductive efficiency were determined in different treatments and controlgroups and the results were analized statisticaly. Metarhizium anisopliae strains DEMI001 andIRAN437C, Beauveria bassiana strain IRAN403C, and Lecanicillium psalliotae strainIRAN468C were the most virulent strains in comparison with their relative strains and caused80 -100%, 20 - 80%, 0 - 40% and 0- 40% mortality for engorged females respectively. All 11tested fungi reduced egg laying capability of the ticks several days before their death. Theobtained data showed that the entomopathogenic fungi can affect all developmental stages ofBoophilus annulatus, but their efficiency varies considerably according to the fungal species andstrains. It is demonstrated for the first time the pathogenic effect of Lecanicillium psalliotaeagainst Boophilus annulatus.

Keywords:

Boophilus annulatus , entomopathogenic fungi , biological control