Biological Control of the Raspberry Eriophyoid Mite Phyllocoptes gracilis Using Entomopathogenic Fungi

There is an urgent need to develop biological control methods against the eriophyoid mite, Phyllocoptes gracilis, which causes significant losses in organic raspberry production Europe. The use of entomopathogenic fungi (EF) a sustainable alternative conventional chemical pesticides, reducing risks pesticide resistance and other negative environmental impacts agriculture. objective this study was assess pathogenicity three strains EF, two Beauveria bassiana one Metarhizium anisopliae, on P. gracilis under laboratory conditions. Fungal spore suspensions (1 × 107 spores per mL) were sprayed detached leaves infested with gracilis. Treated mites kept controlled conditions (25 ± 3 °C, 72 10% relative humidity photoperiod 16:8 (light/dark)) mite mortality assessed three, five seven days after inoculation. At all measurement points (days inoculation), highest for B. strain BB 1.1 M. anisopliae MA 10.1. Our data demonstrate that EFs are promising candidates development agents crops.