Isolation and morphological identification of indigenous entomopathogenic fungi from pear-growing areas in Antalya province and testing their efficacy against pear psyllid [Cacopsylla pyri (L.) (Hemiptera: Psyllidae)]

In this study, the effectiveness of entomopathogenic fungal species isolated from pear- growing areas in Korkuteli district of Antalya province against pear psyllid (Cacopsylla pyri) was investigated. For this purpose, isolations were made from dead insect cadavers, live insects suspected to be infected and soil samples taken and their identifications were made using morphological methods. According to their morphological characteristics in PDA (Potato Dextrose Agar) culture medium, 9 fungal isolates belonging to the genera Aspergillus (1), Penicillium (1), Beauveria (7) and Metarhizium (1) were detected. However, in the preliminary pathogenicity tests, among the 9 fungal isolates obtained it was observed that Beauveria isolates were effective against the pest. In the morphological studies using compound microscope (Leica brand DM2500 model), it was determined that the effective fungal isolates belonged to Beauveria bassiana species by considering their external appearance, hyphae and conidiophore structure and spore shapes with the help of the relevant literature. Beauveria bassiana (AK7P1, AK9P3, AK12T8, AK23P6, AK17T1) isolates found effective in preliminary tests were subjected to pathogenicity tests in the laboratory against eggs, nymphs and adults of C. pyri. In the tests, all B. bassiana isolates were used at spore densities of 1x105, 1x106 and 1x107 conidia/ml. In pathogenicity tests, B. bassiana isolates were not seen to be very effective against the egg and adult stages of the pest, while they caused mortality ranging from 50-70% against nymphal stages. KEYWORDS: Beauveria bassiana, Cacopsylla pyri, Entomopathogenic fungus, Microbial control, Pear psylla