Isolation, identification and pathogenicity of entomopathogenic fungi from soils in Ordu province

This study was aimed to test pathogenicity of the entomopathogenic fungi isolated from soil samples taken from Ünye, Fatsa, Perşembe, Merkez and Gülyalı districts of Ordu province (which are thought to be advantageous in terms of the entomopathogenic fungi due to their climatic characteristics) on the cotton leafworm Spodoptera littoralis (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). Eighty four (34%) fungi were isolated from 250 soil samples and 64 selected isolates were identified using molecular methods. Pathogenicity (1x108 conidi7ml) of identified isolates were tested on the second-stage larvae of the cotton leafworm S. littoralis under laboratory conditions. The isolates displaying the higher mortality rates (ORU-50 (Beauveria bassiana) (100%), ORM-40 (Metarhizium brunneum) (98.33%), ORM-48 (Clonostachys rogersoniana) (91.67%), ORP-13 (Metarhizium brunneum) (93.33%) and ORP-27 (M. brunneum) (100%)) were subjected to dose-effect testing (1x105 -1x109 conidia/ml). Accordingly, it has been found that M. brunneum isolates are more effective than B. bassiana and C. rogersoniana against S. littoralis. It has been concluded that ORP-27, ORP-13 and ORP-40 isolates can be potential biological control agents that can be used in the control of S. littoralis. This is the first comprehensive study to reveal existence and spread of entomopathogenic fungi in the Ordu province. KEYWORDS: Entomopathogenic fungus, Spodoptera littoralis, Pathogenicity, Biological control, Cotton leafworm