Indigenous entomopathogenic fungi as potential biological control agents of rose sawfly, Arge rosae L. (Hymenoptera: Argidae)

The rose sawfly, Arge rosae L. (Hymenoptera: Argidae), is one of the most destructive pests roses grown both indoors and outdoors in Antalya province (south-western part Turkey). Especially greenhouse cultivation, growers depend heavily on synthetic pesticides to control this pest along with other arthropod their crops. aim study was evaluate biocontrol potential some indigenous soil-borne entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) against pest. In pathogenicity assays, a total 17 EPF isolates, belonging three species [Beauveria bassiana (Bals.) Vuill. - 14, Clonostachys rosea (Link) Schroers 2 Isaria farinosa (Holmsk.) Fr. 1] were tested 4th instar larvae A. under laboratory conditions. All isolates applied at conidial suspension 1 × 107 conidia/mL, using spray method. results from assays showed that bio-efficacy increased significantly elapsed time up 9 days after inoculation. Of tested, 5 B. (BbDm- 1, BbKp-1, BbMp-1, BbSr-1 BbMg-2) isolate I. (IfGp-1) appeared be promising, causing mortalities between 76.7 86.7% 3 post treatment. Probit analysis mortality data there significant differences susceptibility isolates. above-mentioned six had lowest LT$_{50}$ LT$_{95}$ values (ranged 1.66 7.50 4.81 8.49 days, respectively), implying high virulence Phylogenetic based ITS region sequence revealed all similarities 99 100%) respective fungal GenBank. Overall suggested virulent abovementioned as biological agents rosae.