First record of entomopathogen beauveria bassiana (Bals.-Criv.) vuill. on zygogramma bicolorata pallister, a biocontrol agent of parthenium hysterophorus L.

Abstract

Entomopathogenic fungi have great potential as biological control agents against insect pests. So they are being developed worldwide for the control of many pests of agricultural importance. But their effect on non-target insects, such as natural enemies has been a matter of great concern. Recently we came across an entomopathogen infecting a laboratory culture of Zygogramma bicolorata, a potential biocontol agent of noxious weed, Parthenium hysterophorus. The pathogen was isolated from the grubs and beetles and identified as Beauveria bassiana. In the present paper, the entomopathogen, B. bassiana is reported and described for the first time from the laboratory culture of Z. bicolorata.