P. E. Anaisie; V. Y. Eziah and E. O. Owusu
One major constraint to increased and sustainable production of cabbages in Ghana is its infestation by insect pests particularly the diamondback moth (DBM) Plutella xylostella L. (Lepidoptera: Yponomeutidae). The control of this insect in Ghana relies heavily on the use of synthetic insecticides to which the insect has developed resistance. Efforts are therefore being made to look for alternative control strategies and their use within integrated pest management programmes. This study determined the potential of indigenous entomopathogenic fungi for the management of the DBM in Ghana. Three fungi, Aspergillus sp, Penicillium sp and Fusarium sp were isolated from field collected cadavers of DBM and identified. Bacillus thuringiensis was used as standard reference product. Bioassays were done using topical application and leaf disc assays. Third-instar larvae were treated with different concentrations of these fungi and the results showed that all three fungi induced significant levels of mortality in the larvae. Aspergillus sp, Penicillium sp and Fusarium sp induced 86.7% - 96.7%, 66.7% - 76.7% and 66.7% - 70% mortality, respectively. The study showed that the fungi isolates have potentials as biological control agents in the management of the diamondback moth in Ghana.
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