Microbian control of sugarcane borer Diatraea saccharalis with entomopathogenic fungi

• Grant number: 06/02466-3
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: August 01, 2006
• End date: July 31, 2008
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Agronomy
• Principal Investigator: José Eduardo Marcondes de Almeida
• Grantee: José Eduardo Marcondes de Almeida
• Host Institution: Instituto Biológico (IB). Agência Paulista de Tecnologia dos Agronegócios (APTA). Secretaria de Agricultura e Abastecimento (São Paulo - Estado). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The sugarcane borer, D. saccharalis, is the most important pest of this crop, and the biological control with the parasitoid C. flavipes is the most efficient method. Meanwhile, with the expansion of the sugarcane area, the suppliers of this parasitoid has not produced sufficient insect to cover the whole area (4.5 millions ha). Entomopathogenic fungi have been used are used to complement biological control of pest in Latin America countries. The main objective of this research is to evaluate applications of Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae for the control of the sugarcane borer. To reach this goal, it will be necessary to survey, identify and characterize isolates of fungi pathogenic to D. saccharalis, whishing to know its diversity in São Paulo State, the performance of B. bassiana and M. anisopliae isolates against the sugarcane borer, and the efficiency of the selected isolates against this insect in field conditions. After the conclusion of this research, it will be possible to develop a bioinsecticide based on an entomopathogenic fungus that can be produced by the bioindustries established in São Paulo State and to implement an integrated pest management for sugarcane borer, improving the efficiency of biological control with C. flavipes and reducing the use of chemical defensives. (AU)