Ecology, Environment and Conservation Paper

OCCURRENCE OF ENTOMOGENOUS FUNGI ASPERGILLUS FLAVUS ON TEAK LEAF SKELETONIZER, EUTECTONA MACHAERALIS AND THEIR PATHOGENICITY

K.H. Kabade, Z.P. Patel and S.T. Gawali

Abstract

Leaf skeletonizer, Eutectona machaeralis (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), is a major pest of teak (Tectona grandis L.), responsible for severe defoliation in nurseries, plantations and natural forests. During the recent survey (2011-2012) in teak forests of Dangs Forest Division, Gujarat the larvae of this pest collected from Dangs District, were found to be infested by fungi in nature at the time of epidemic outbreak. The infested fungi were isolated on Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA) medium in laboratory and identified as Aspergillus flavus, Link. The isolated fungi were tested for their Pathogenicity against the early instar of this insect in laboratory. Results revealed that the fungi are pathogenic to induce larval mortality when applied on host plant leaves and larvae together of the insect pest. Spore suspension of 2.25×107 spores/mL established its superiority by imparting cent per cent mortality of early instar larva at 4th day after treatment.