Application of Beauveria bassiana and Neoseiulus barkeri for improved control of Frankliniella occidentalis in greenhouse cucumber. (June 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wu, Shengyong; He, Zhen; Wang, Endong; Xu, Xuenong; Lei, Zhongren
• Is Part Of: Crop protection. Volume 96(2017)
• Page Start: 83
• Page End: 87
• Publication Date: 2017-06
• Subjects: Entomopathogenic fungus -- Phytoseiidae -- Biological control -- Combined application -- Complementary effects; Plants, Protection of -- Periodicals; 632.05
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cropro.2017.01.013
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0261-2194

Abstract

Abstract: To improve sustainable control of the western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis Pergande, a single application of the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana followed by a release of the predatory mite Neoseiulus barkeri Hughes against F. occidentalis were evaluated on greenhouse cucumbers in 2013 and 2015. A single application of B. bassiana significantly reduced F. occidentalis by 70% (2013) and 64% (2015) two weeks after spraying. N. barkeri, which was released two weeks after spraying, further suppressed F. occidentalis populations which remained low for the remainder of the trial; numbers were reduced by 72 and 75% in 2013 and 2015, respectively, five weeks after the predator was released. These results suggest that an application of B . bassiana followed by N. barkeri applied two weeks later is a viable approach for controlling F. occidentalis . Highlights: A single application of B. bassiana significantly reduced F. occidentalis populations. N. barkeri play a complementary role when released after spraying with B. bassiana. It is practical to combine fungi and predators for biological pest control.