Biocontrol of Xyleborus affinis (Curculionidae: Scolitinae) Females and Progeny by Beauveria bassiana (Hypocreales: Cordycipitaceae) in a Sawdust Artificial Diet Model

The ambrosia beetle , recently reported affecting avocado trees in Mexico, represents one of the most widespread insects worldwide. Previous reports have shown that genera members are susceptible to and other entomopathogenic fungus strains. However, their effect on borer beetles' progeny has not been fully investigated. The aim of the present study was to determine the insecticidal activity of on adult females and their progeny in an artificial sawdust diet bioassay model. The strains CHE-CNRCB 44, 171, 431, and 485 were individually tested on females at concentrations ranging from 2 × 10 to 1 × 10 conidia mL . After 10 d of incubation, diet was evaluated to count laid eggs, larvae, and adults. Insect conidia loss after exposure was determined by attached conidia to each insect after 12 h of exposure. The results showed that females' mortality ranged between 3.4% and 50.3% in a concentration-response manner. Furthermore, we did not observe statistical differences among strains at the highest concentration. CHE-CNRCB 44 showed the highest mortality at the lowest concentration and reduced larvae and laid eggs at the highest concentration ( < 0.01). Strains CHE-CNRCB 44, 431, and 485 significantly decreased larvae, as compared with the untreated control. After 12 h, up to 70% of conidia was removed by the effect of the artificial diet. In conclusion, has the potential to control adult females and progeny.