Pathogenicity of local entomopatogenic fungi on poultry red mite (Dermanyssus gallinae, Arachnida: Dermanyssidae)

In this study, the effects of 20 fungal strains previously isolated from different hosts and soil samples were investigated against the poultry red mite (Dermanyssus gallinae) spreading in chicken and egg farms in and around Bursa. In the control against D. gallinae, which causes economic losses, 20 fungus strains in our entomopathogenic fungus culture collection were performed on mites at a concentration of 1 × 107 conidia/ml. BioStorm (Metarhizium anisopliae) was used as a positive control in the experiments. As a result of dose response tests, it was determined that As-2 and Pa4 strains showed 100% mortality against mites at 1 × 109 concentration. The LC50 values of these strains were calculated as 5.5 × 104 conidia/ml for As-2 and 3.2 × 104 conidia/ml for Pa4. LT50 values were determined as 1.94 days for As-2 and 1.57 days for Pa4. The tolerances of the spores of the strains to temperature and UV-B were tested. With the results obtained, it is predicted that the use of two fungal strains in mite control will be remarkable for future studies.