S. Ekesi et al., Effect of temperature on germination, radial growth and virulence of Metarhizium anisopliae and Beauveria bassiana on Megalurothrips sjostedti, BIO SCI TEC, 9(2), 1999, pp. 177-185
The effect of temperature on germination, radial growth and pathogenic acti
vity of two strains of Beauveria bassiana and four strains of Metarhizium a
nisopliae on the legume flower thrips, Megalurothrips sjostedti, was studie
d in the laboratory. Germination, radial growth and pathogenic activity was
low for all strains at 15 degrees C. Optimum temperature for germination,
radial growth and pathogenic activity ranged between 25-30 degrees C. The f
astest growing strain at 25-30 degrees C was M. anisopliae strain ICIPE 69.
Compared to other strains, ICIPE 69 also appeared to have a broad temperat
ure range of pathogenic activity against the pest. The significance of thes
e findings in relation to control of M. sjostedti is discussed.