Efficacy of Beuveria bassiana on Different Larval Instars of Tobacco Caterpillar (Spodoptera litura Fab.)

Abstract

Efficacy of Beauveria bassiana to different larval stages of Spodoptera litura using 1%, 2%, 3%, 4% and 5% in 2.3x106 conidia/ml were undertaken in laboratory conditions. Observation was recorded on 24 hrs, 48 hrs and 72 hrs in the laboratory of Entomology Department, SHUATS, Allahabad. Virulence potential of the entomopathogenic fungi varied with different larval stages of Spodoptera litura. All the treatments resulted in significantly higher mortality than control. The results revealed that percent mortality was quiet high in earlier instars as compared to later instars. The highest dose of 5% 2.3×106 conidia/ ml brought 91.66, 90.00, 88.33, 78.77, 66.11 and 49.99 percent mortality in 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th instar respectively as compared to only 11.66, 07.21, 01.10, 00.00, 01.11 and 00.00 percent mortality in control of respective stages. Thus, higher the dose of Beauveria bassiana higher will be the mortality of tobacco caterpillar.