The potential of Beauveria brongniartii and botanical insecticides based on Neem to control Otiorhynchus sulcatus larvae in containerised plants

Abstract

Otiorhynchus sulcatus is considered as an important pest of strawberry fields and on potted ornamental plants. The efficacy to control this pest by new Polish products containing azadirachtin and the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria brongniartii were tested. The aim of the laboratory investigation was to assess the influence of different forms of azadirachtin (A and B) and the entomopathogen on mortality and physiological development of the insect. Mortality after treatment ranged between 86-93%. There were significant differences in the mean number of surviving stages of the insect between Beauveria and neem treatments, but the final total mortality was not statistically different. Sensitivity of all developmental stages to the fungus was observed. In the neem treatments the physiological development of larvae was completely stopped. The level of control achieved by Beauveria and neem for use in outdoor containers is acceptable for practical application.

Keywords

• keywords: otiorhynchus sulcatus
• beauveria brongniartii
• azadirachtin
• control