Can Beauveria bassiana Control Tarnished Plant Bug on Strawberry?
Insecticides are usually applied when the number of tarnished plant bugs on strawberry exceeds a preset threshold. The entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana is a potential nonchemical alternative that was tested, along with physical barriers, for tarnished plant bug control in a University research plot in Iowa. A commercial formulation of B. bassiana (Mycotrol) was compared with a standard insecticide (Danitol) and a 3 foot high plastic construction fence surrounding the plants beginning July 1. Weekly applications of the fungus did not provide significant control of tarnished plant bug. Although there was a trend toward reduction in bug injury (buttoning), yield was not significantly different than for untreated plants. The plastic barrier reduced yield and berry number, possibly because insect pollination and/or light intensity was reduced. On average, more than 40% of the tarnished plant bug nymphs collected from the fungus-treated plots had B. bassiana in or on their bodies,
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- Can Beauveria bassiana Control Tarnished Plant Bug on Strawberry?
