FIELD EFFICACY OF WHITE MUSCARDINE FUNGUS (BEAUVERIA-BASSIANA) ON RICE HISPA (DICLADISPA-ARMIGERA)

A field trial was conducted for 4 years (1989-93) in different rice (O ryza saliva L.) seasons at various areas endemic to rice hispa [Diclad ispa armigera (Olivier)] (Coleoptera : Chrysomelidae) in Assam to asse ss the efficacy of a mycopathogen, Beauveria bassiana (Bals.) Vuill. f or controlling the insect. Multi-locational field trials with B. bassi ana (10 million spores/ml dilution), 1% neem-seed oil and a convention al insecticide (0.072% monocrotophos) revealed that the mycoparasite w as superior to neem-seed oil but at par with monocrotophos in controll ing the rice hispa, leading to increase in yield.