Preliminary Studies on the Pathogenicity of Metarhizium anisopliae (Metschn.) Sorokin var. anisopliae to Cutworm Agrotis segetum (Schiff.)

Abstract

The entomopathogenic fungus, Metarhizium anisopliae (Metschn.) Sorokin var, anisopliae was found pathogenic to the larvae of Agrotis segetum (Schiff.), Agrotis ipsilon (Hufnagel) and Agrotis spinifera (Hubn.). It was also found pathogenic to eggs of A. segetum. Soil application of the fungus gave 45% mortality of last instar larvae of A. segetum at a concentration of 1.2 × 10⁷ spores/g of soil. The fungal spores at 10⁷/ml sprayed on A. segetum eggs gave 100% mortality. Field application of spores on the eggs proved effective in controlling the pest. The study indicates the scope of using the fungus against the pest in the field.