BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF THE ENTOMOPATHOGENIC FUNGUS, BEAUVERIA-BASSIANAON THE POTATO-TUBER MOTH PHTHORIMAEA-OPERCULELLA (SELLER)

A series of investigations have been carried out on the effect of the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana on the various developmenta l stages of Phthorimaea operculella. Both first and second instar larv ae were more susceptible than the third or fourth instars. The infecte d prepupae and pupae resulted in marked decrease in the emergence, lon gevity of moths, deposited eggs and their egg hatchability. An obvious increase in the pupal duration was observed and the resulting malform ed adults were also recorded. The latent effects were markedly obvious , specially in high doses of Beauveria bassiana.