Screening of Fungal Entomopathogens against Banana Aphid <i>Pentalonia nigronervosa</i> Coq

Entomopathogenic fungal pathogens such as Lecanicilium fusisporum, Metarhizium anisopliae and Beauveria bassiana were screened against the banana aphid, Pentalonia nigronervosa under in vitro conditions. A spore concentration of 1x107 CFU/ ml., aphid mortality of 54, 29 and 42% was recorded 3 days after inoculation in L. fusisporum, M. anisopliae and B. bassiana respectively. Further an increased mortality of 96.38%, 77.40% and 94.0% were recorded 7 days after application in L. fusisporum, M. anisopliae and B. bassiana, respectively. Results indicated that L. fusisporum has the highest efficacy in controlling the pest.