Entomopathogenic fungi as a promising biological control agent against banana fruit scarring beetle, Basilepta subcostata (Jac.) (Chrysomelidae: Coleoptera)

Abstract Background Banana fruit scarring beetle (BFSB), Basilepta subcostata (Jac.) (Chrysomelidae:Coleoptera), is an important insect pest feeds on leaf and fingers, which affects the cosmetic value of fruit. The distributed in Assam, Bihar, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, North-eastern Hill regions India. Results currently managed by foliar spray with insecticides. In order to identify eco-friendly control pest, attempts were made isolate microbial agent evaluate their potential pest. A total 27 entomopathogenic fugal isolates obtained from Odoiporus longicollis (Oliver), Cosmopolites sordidus (Germar), (Jac), other Galleria mellonella (Fabr) . Based colony morphology, collected fungal identified as Metarhizium spp. (17) Beauveria (10). Through ITS sequencing, further characterized at species level B. bassiana (8), brongniartii (2), M. anisopliae robertsii (6), guizhouense pinghaense (1). Their sequences submitted GenBank accession numbers. Among tested against under laboratory conditions, 3 ( NRCBEPF-36, NRCBEPF-7 NRCBEPF-27) recorded 100% mortality, followed 11 95–99% 13 88–93% within 8 days treatment. Conclusion This study highlights two native North East India NRCBEPF-27 (MT151781) NRCBEPF-36 (MT140308) showed significance use biocontrol agents banana subcostata. Further experiments field conditions are required biological efficacy