Research Article Open Access

Infection of Ostrinia furnacalis (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) by Endophytic Beauveria bassiana on Corn

Itji Diana Daud1, Elkawakib2, Kahar Mustari2, Aris Baso3 and Nuniek Widiayani2
  • 1 Department of Plant Pests and Diseases, Faculty of Agriculture, Hasanuddin University, Makassar, South Sulawesi, 90245, Indonesia
  • 2 Departement of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture, Hasanuddin University, Makassar, South Sulawesi, 90245, Indonesia
  • 3 Departement of Agricultural Socio-Economics, Faculty of Agriculture, Hasanuddin University, Makassar, South Sulawesi, 90245, Indonesia

Abstract

The Asian corn borer, Ostrinia furnacalis Gueneé (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), is one of the most important pests of corn. Control against this pest is attempted in several ways, including the biological control with entomopathogenic fungi, Beauveria bassiana. Infection of B. bassiana in different larval phases can cause differences in insect response. This study aims to examine the effect of different larva’s stages when they are inoculated with B. bassiana to the growth of O. furnacalis. This study was conducted by allowing different larval instars of the pest to feed on corn plants inoculated with different dosages of B. bassiana spores. The observed parameters were larval mortality, pupal weight, adult longevity, adult fecundity and number of eggs and larvae infected by B. bassiana. The results showed that B. bassiana caused mortality to the 1st and 2nd instars of the larvae. The sub-lethal effects of B. bassiana on O. furnacalis development included reduction in pupal weight, shorter longevity, decreased fecundity of about 50% and reduced number of eggs laid up to 72.3%. B. bassiana can be transmitted vertically to the next generation. Up to 88% and 75% of the eggs and larvae were infected by the fungus, respectively.  Information provided by this study is very useful for B. bassiana conservation efforts in the corn ecosystem and for supporting integrated pest management of O. furnacalis.

OnLine Journal of Biological Sciences
Volume 20 No. 1, 2020, 1-7

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3844/ojbsci.2020.1.7

Submitted On: 28 January 2019 Published On: 5 March 2020

How to Cite: Daud, I. D., Elkawakib, ., Mustari, K., Baso, A. & Widiayani, N. (2020). Infection of Ostrinia furnacalis (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) by Endophytic Beauveria bassiana on Corn. OnLine Journal of Biological Sciences, 20(1), 1-7. https://doi.org/10.3844/ojbsci.2020.1.7

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Keywords

  • Entomopathogenic Fungi
  • Endophyte
  • Larvae
  • Pupae
  • Mortality