Effect of the native strain of the predator Nesidiocoris tenuis Reuter and the entomopathogenic fungi Beauveria bassiana and Lecanicillium muscarium against Bemisia tabaci (Genn.) under greenhouse conditions in Tunisia

Abstract Background The misuse of chemical insecticides has developed the phenomenon habituation in whitefly Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) causing enormous economic losses under geothermal greenhouses southern Tunisia. Results In order to develop means biological control appropriate conditions Tunisia, efficacy native strain predator Nesidiocoris tenuis Reuter (Hemiptera: Miridae) and two entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) Beauveria bassiana Lecanicillium muscarium was tested against (Gennadius). Indeed, introduction N. doses 1, 2, 3, or 4 nymphs per tobacco plant infested by led highly significant reduction population B. , than devoid predator. very high adults at all with a rate 98%. Likewise, L. compared an untreated control, showed larvae . addition, number live treated directly introduced on EPF remained relatively high, exceeding 24.8 cage (28.6). Conclusions It can be concluded that separately were effective Their combined use appears possible.