Entomopathogenic fungi (Deuteromycotina) in the control of the black bug of rice, Scotinophara coarctata (Hemiptera; Pentatomidae)

Abstract

The effects of the entomopathogenic fungi Beauveria bassiana, Metarhizium anisopliae, and Paecilomyces lilacinus on populations of the black bug (Scotinophara coarctata) were studied. Adult black bugs were kept on rice plants in screen cages in the field. Cages were placed in four different plots in two different rice fields. Two different fungal materials were tested, suspensions of conidia and mass-produced dry mycelium. The numbers of bugs were significantly reduced in all fungal treatments compared to the control over a period up to 9 weeks, except in one of the plots where severe drought hampered control. In addition, numbers of nymphs were suppressed by the fungi in the well-irrigated plots. The overall performance of the different species of fungi and different materials was similar. Implementation of dry mycelium preparations of the fungi in integrated control programs for the black bug should be considered. © 1986.