Pathogenicity of Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae on the adult housefly, Musca domestica L.

Abstract

The effects of entomopathogenic fungi, Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae on the adult housefly, Musca domestica were studied to evaluate their pathogenicity. Scanning electron microscopy allowed observing fungal developmental phases on the M. domestica adult. The results obtained revealed that not all areas of the insect cuticle were equally vulnerable to penetration by propagules of entomopathogenic fungi, the penetration pegs of B. bassiana were observed at the base of seta, conidia were also observed between the ommatidia of the compound eye and at the articulating membrane of legs. M. anisopliae conidia were observed in the regions of the host insect as B. bassiana, but in smaller concentrations. In conclusion, the present study established the pathogenicity of entomopathogenic fungi, B. bassiana and M. anisopliae on the housefly, M. domestica as promising biological control agents. Biological control with pathogenic fungi is promising alternative to chemical control against insect pests.