Effectiveness of Baits Containing Entomopathogenic Fungi Against Gryllus assimilis

ABSTRACT The use of entomopathogens, including entomopathogenic fungi, for biological control provides a viable alternative to chemical pesticides for pest management. Entomopathogenic fungi infect and cause epizootics in a wide range of insect orders, including Hemiptera, Lepidoptera, Coleoptera, Diptera, Hymenoptera, and Orthoptera. This study aimed to assess the insecticidal efficacy of the entomopathogenic fungi Metarhizium anisopliae, Beauveria bassiana, and Isaria fumosorosea against Gryllus assimilis (Orthoptera: Gryllidae) under laboratory conditions. The experiments were conducted using a completely randomized design with four replications. Two strains of B. bassiana (IBCB 66 and PL 63), one strain of M. anisopliae (E9), and one strain of I. fumosorosea (ESALQ 1296) were evaluated. The highest mortality of G. assimilis was observed seven days post-treatment with M. anisopliae at 0.15 g, resulting in resulting in over 50% insect mortality.