Effect of Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae on the mortality of Cosmopolites sordidus and Metamasius hemipterus

Abstract

The objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae on the survival of Cosmopolites sordidus and Metamasius hemipterus in a laboratory trial. First, several specimens of C. sordidus and M. hemipterus were collected in a banana plantation using traps with natural attractants. Subsequently, in the laboratory, different liquid doses of B. bassiana and M. anisopliae were applied to measure their mortality at various times. The results demonstrated the remarkable efficacy of both fungi as biological control agents, although they exhibited disparities in the speed of action. M. anisopliae demonstrated superior effectiveness at higher doses for both species, while B. bassiana exhibited a more gradual effect. It is recommended that further investigation be conducted to ascertain the effectiveness of the treatment under field conditions. Additionally, the optimal doses should be determined under various circumstances and the possible long-term impacts on the banana crop environment evaluated.

Keywords: Banana, Biological control; Curculionidae, Black weevil, Striped weevil.