Compatibility of phloxine B, an insecticidal photoactive dye, with selected biocontrol fungi

The incorporation of the photoactive red food dye, phloxine B, into integra ted pest management strategies has been suggested for the control of variou s insect pests. Inclusion of such a chemical pest control agent may interfe re with a microbial pest control agent. Thus, representative fungi with pot ential for biocontrol were tested for their responses to phloxine B (0.01%) , at different temperatures. Growth rates at selected temperatures were inh ibited by dye in the presence of light for Coniothyrium minitans and Vertic illium lecanii. Trichoderma virens growth was inhibited in light and dark. At optimal growth temperatures, Beauveria bassiana growth was inhibited onl y by the photoactivated dye species, while growth of Stilbella erythrocepha la was not affected by the dye even in the presence of light.