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PATHOGENICITY OF METARHIZIUM ANISOPLIAE VAR. ACRIDUM STRAINS ON PINK HIBISCUS MEALY BUG (MACONELLICOCCUS HIRSUTUS) AFFECTING COTTON CROP

AZIZ AHMED UJJAN AND SALEEM SHAHZAD

Abstract: Metarhizium anisopliae var. acridum (Metschnikoff) Sorokin strains Ma1912, Ma1729 and Ma3605 were found to be pathogenic to the pink hibiscus mealy bug, Maconellicoccus hirsutus Green (Homoptera: Pseudococcidae) affecting cotton crop. Effects of these strains on survival of adults, instars and egg hatching were assessed. The strains were able to infect adults within 2 days after inoculation and showed 90% mortality by 8^th day, whereas, 100% mortality of instars was observed by 4^th day of inoculation when females were inoculated. Metarhizium anisopliae strain Ma1912 reduced the egg hatching of M. hirsutus by up to 60% and other two strains reduced egg hatching less than 30%, whereas, direct inoculation of eggs on glass slides by all strains resulted in more than 70% reduction in egg hatching.

Pest and Disease Research Laboratory, Department of Agriculture, University of Karachi, Karachi, Pakistan