TR
EN
Evaluation of the insecticidal activity of some Turkish entomopathogenic fungal isolates against second larval stage of Tuta absoluta (Meyrick, 1917) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae)
Abstract
In this study, the efficacy of two local isolates of the entomopathogenic fungus (EPF) Beauveria bassiana (Bals.-Criv.) Vuill. (GOPT-DYYLD, BBE2) (Hypocreales: Cordycipitaceae) and one isolate of Metarhizium brunneum (Petch) (ORP-13) (Hypocreales: Clavicipitaceae) against the second instar larvae of the tomato leafminer, Tuta absoluta (Meyrick, 1917) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) was determined. The study was conducted in 2023 at the Entomology Laboratory, Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, Tokat Gaziosmanpasa University. As positive controls, the commercial preparation of B. bassiana strain Bb-1 and 120 g/L Spinetoram were used. The EPF isolates were evaluated in dose-mortality assays at concentrations ranging from 1×10³ to 1×10⁹ conidia/mL-1. The EPF isolates were evaluated using two different methods: Topical application bioassays and foliar spray application bioassays. In topical application bioassays, at a dose of 1×10⁸ conidia/mL-1 on the 5th day, GOPT-DYYLD caused 69.8% mortality, BBE2 45.8%, ORP-13 29.2%, while B. bassiana strain Bb-1 caused 72.9% mortality and 120 g/L Spinetoram caused 96.9% mortality. In foliar spray application bioassays, at a dose of 1×10⁸ conidia/mL-1 on the 5th day, GOPT-DYYLD caused 76.04% mortality, BBE2 54.2%, and ORP-13 24.5%. Promising results were obtained in the control of tomato leaf miner using the GOPT-DYYLD and BBE2 isolates.
Keywords
Supporting Institution
This study was a part of the PhD thesis of the first author, and supported by Tokat Gaziosmanpasa University, Scientific Research Projects Unit, Tokat, Türkiye, Grant Project No: 2024/8.
Project Number
2024/08
Thanks
We would like to thank Tokat Gaziosmanpasa University Scientific Research Projects Unit for supporting this research under Project Number 2024/08.
References
- Akutse, K., N. Maniania, K. Fiaboe, J. Van Den Berg & S. Ekesi, 2013. Endophytic colonization of Vicia faba and Phaseolus vulgaris (Fabaceae) by fungal pathogens and their effects on the life-history parameters of Liriomyza huidobrensis (Diptera: Agromyzidae). Fungal Ecology, 6 (4): 293-301.
- Aynalem, B., D. Muleta, J. Venegas & F. Assefa, 2021. Molecular phylogeny and pathogenicity of indigenous Beauveria bassiana against the tomato leafminer, Tuta absoluta Meyrick, 1917 (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), in Ethiopia. Journal of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, 19 (1): 127 (1-15).
- Cabello, T., J. R. Gallego, E. Vila, A. Soler, M. Del Pino, A. Carnero, E. Hernández-Suárez & A. Polaszek, 2009. Biological control of the South American tomato pinworm, Tuta absoluta (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), with releases of Trichogramma achaeae (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) in tomato greenhouse of Spain. IOBC/WPRS Bulletin, 49: 225-230.
- Chouikhi, S., B. H. Assadi, K. Lebdi & M. S. Belkadhi, 2022. Efficacy of the entomopathogenic fungi Beauveria bassiana and Lecanicillium muscarium in the control of the tomato leaf miner, Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae). Egyptian Journal of Biological Pest Control, 32 (1): 139 (1-8).
- Dabsu, T. K. & O. B. Kovancı, 2022. Evaluation of the pathogenicity of some entomopathogenic fungi against tomato leaf miner Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) larvae. Türkiye Biyolojik Mücadele Dergisi, 13 (2): 103-117 (in Turkish with abstract in English).
- Demircan, S., 2023. Ürün Raporu Domates. Tarımsal Ekonomi ve Politika Geliştirme Enstitüsü Müdürlüğü (TEPGE) Yayını, No: 379, 26 s. ISBN: 978-625-8451-99-3 (in Turkish).
- EPPO, 2010. Reporting Service-Pest and Diseases. No 1, Paris, 2010-01-01 (Access date: 08.02.2025).
- Erasmus, R., J. van den Berg & H. du Plessis, 2021. Susceptibility of Tuta absoluta (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) pupae to soil-applied entomopathogenic fungal biopesticides. Insects, 12 (6): 515 (1-12).
Details
Primary Language
English
Subjects
Entomology in Agriculture
Journal Section
Research Article
Publication Date
January 6, 2026
Submission Date
May 15, 2025
Acceptance Date
December 25, 2025
Published in Issue
Year 2025 Volume: 49 Number: 4
APA
Kara, N., & Yanar, D. (2026). Evaluation of the insecticidal activity of some Turkish entomopathogenic fungal isolates against second larval stage of Tuta absoluta (Meyrick, 1917) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae). Turkish Journal of Entomology, 49(4), 401-412. https://doi.org/10.16970/entoted.1700140