Screening commercial entomopathogenic fungi for the management of Diaphorina citri populations in the Lower Rio Grande Valley, Texas, USA

Abstract Ten strains of entomopathogenic ascomycete fungi, sourced from commercial formulations blastopore or conidiospore formulations, were tested in 14 different a primary acquisition/direct spray bioassay against adult Asian citrus psyllid ( Diaphorina citr i Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Liviidae)). The Cordyceps Isaria ) javanica Apopka 97-C (conidia) strain was used as the standard. A statistical ranking system established which top performing pathogenic selected for further screening and eventual field trials. Modified Potter-type towers utilized to deliver range doses viable spores D. citri an aqueous consistent with rate per hectare often real-world applications. Mortality assessed after seven-day incubation period under controlled climate conditions reflecting those Lower Rio Grande Valley (LRGV) Texas, USA. Of preparations, Metarhizium anisopliae E9, C. fumosorosea Ifr9901, Beauveria bassiana ATCC 74040 ANT-03, M. ESALQ1037, robertsii DWR2009, showed greater levels mortality than standard, 97-C, laboratory setting. six, two (Ifr9901 ANT-03) evaluation based on efficacy, availability, geographical registration, market outlook production.