Biological Control of Maize Stem Borer: Developing Insect Pathogenic Fungi as a Bio-pesticide

Stem borers are economically the most important insect pests of maize worldwide. Chemical control is often not successful because of the concealed feeding behavior of the insect. Chemical control can result in adverse effects on non-target organisms and the presence of residues in food and water. As an alternative strategy, insect pathogenic fungi Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae have currently shown great potential in an integrated management of stem borers. This book, therefore, provides empirical information on methods of testing, selection and evaluation of B. bassiana and M. anisopliae for controlling the spotted stem borer Chilo partellus in maize. This book addresses the susceptibility of different larval instars; effect of temperature on fungal development and virulence; food consumption of fungus treated larvae; compatibility of fungal isolates with insecticides; effect of exposure methods and diets on larval mortality; and control of stem borer using effective isolates. This book is useful especially to professionals in agriculture, biological and environmental sciences.