Efficacy of microbiological and chemical insecticides as alternatives for control of Myochrous armatus (Baly, 1865) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

Myochrous armatus (Baly, 1865) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) causes considerable losses to soybean crops in Brazil and several other South American countries. Applying biological insecticides can be an effective alternative to suppressing this pest. The objective of this study was to assess the efficacy of microbiological insecticides formulated from the fungi Beauveria bassiana + Metarhizium anisopliae (Bometil) and B. bassiana alone (Ballvéria), and the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Acera) alone and in combination with the chemical insecticides fipronil, ethiprole and chlorpyrifos, against M. armatus adults. The insecticides based on B. bassiana + M. anisopliae were found to be more pathogenic than those based on B. bassiana, causing cumulative mortality rates in the ten days of 85.0 and 65.0% respectively. In contrast, B. thuringiensis caused 92.5% mortality. These products alone and in combination were effective for control at their lowest concentrations. Therefore, the use of microbiological insecticides individually or in combination with chemical insecticides is a promising alternative for the integrated management of M. armatus.