Virulence of Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae on different stages of the pink bollworm, Pectinophora gossypiella (Saunders) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae)

Abstract Background The pink bollworm, Pectinophora gossypiella , is the most destructive pests of cotton plant in Egypt. Due to several problems insecticides, present study was conducted evaluate toxicity effect entomopathogenic fungi (EPF), Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae against different stages (Saunders) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) Results fungal isolates exhibited a toxic treated stages, egg, larva, pupa. According obtained data LC 50 B. more potent inducing than M. anisopliae. However, eggs P. were less susceptible EPF other stages. Based on total mortality, 4.97×10 11 6.03×10 12 spores/ml for egg; 8.25×10 8 9 neonate; 2.52×10 1.29×10 10 early 4th instar larvae; 6.79×10 8.36×10 pupae after treatment with respectively. Conclusions Entomopathogenic an activity mortality gossypiella.