Larvicidal effect of three entomopathogenic fungi on the carmine scale of the prickly pear

Dactylopius opuntiae (Hemiptera, Dactylopiidae) is one of the major pests of prickly pear (Opuntia ficus-indica) in Morocco.
Entomopathogenic fungi, which can act additively or synergistically, are among the interesting biological tools to control D. opuntiae. Our research consisted of studying the effect of three entomopathogenic fungi: Ulocladium spp. (CT 1), Alternaria spp. (CT2) and Stemphylium spp. (CET2) against the D. opuntiae first and the second larval instars (L1 and L2) in controlled laboratory conditions.
These fungi have been tested each separately or in combination.
The infestation was made by fungal spraying on the nymphs carried by healthy and infested cladodes.
Daily follow-ups showed that two combinations were effective in the first nymphal stage: 1 – Ulocladium and Alternaria; 2 – Ulocladium, Alternaria and Stemphylium. The mortality induced is 76.7 and 75.3% for the first and the second combination, respectively.
Moreover, the same combinations lead to 52-55% mortality in the second nymphal stage.

V International Symposium on Pomegranate and Minor Mediterranean Fruits

Y. Ouguas, B. Cherkaoui, A. Bouchtalla, A. Chakhmani, M. Ilham

Dactylopius opuntiae, Alternaria, Ulocladium, Stemphylium, combinations, mortality, efficiency

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2022.1349.27