Effect of ethoxylation of isotridecyl alcohol on aphicidal activity of fungal supernatant formulation

When the insect-killing (entomopathogenic) fungal supernatant is considered for biological pest control, incorporation of an appropriate surfactant is required to allow the supernatant to work on insect cuticles. The Beauveria bassiana (SFB-205) supernatant with less ethoxylated isotridecyl alcohol (TDE) had higher insecticidal activity against adults of the cotton aphid, Aphis gossypii Glover (Hemiptera: Aphididae). Incorporation of TDE to the supernatant increased the potency of the fungal supernatant in an ethoxylation-dependent manner, representing a practical approach to effectively control cotton aphids.