Development of local mycoinsecticide against the greater wax moth (Galleria mellonella L., Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)

In the control of Galleria mellonella (Greater wax moth, Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), which causes significant losses in the beekeeping sector, 13 entomopathogenic fungi selected from the laboratory collection were tested against the pest at a concentration of 1 × 107 spores/ml. According to the results of the screening tests, it was determined that the selected strains Hp-5, 4-Güm-A, Pa-5 and As-2 produced 96.6%, 83.3%, 70% and 66% mortality effect on the pest 10 days after application at a concentration of 1 × 109 spores/ml, respectively. LC50 values of these strains were calculated as 5.5 × 104, 1.5 × 105, 1.2 × 106, 5.6 × 105 spores/ml. When the virulence values of the strains and their growth and spore production in different temperature, UV-B and humidity environments were evaluated, it was determined that Hp-5 and 4-Güm-A strains were more advantageous. Six lavender, sunflower, lavender-sunflower oil based mycoinsectisides containing Beauveria bassiana (Hp-5) and Metarhizium anisopliae (4-Güm-A) were developed from these two strains. The developed mycoinsectisides were named ''WaxGuard''. ''WaxGuard Beauveria bassiana TR61, Lavender Oil'' was determined as the most effective mycoinsectiside. It produced 83.3% mortality on G. mellonella larvae. All treatments were carried out on G. mellonella third instar larvae and under laboratory conditions. Trials of these mycoinsectisides on Honey bee (Apis mellifera L.) adults showed that at least 90% of bees survived and continued to live in all treatment groups. The findings suggest that ''WaxGuard'' may be effective in the control of G. mellonella.