EFFECTS OF LOCAL ENTOMOPATHOGENIC BEAUVERIA BASSIANA ISOLATES AGAINST SITOPHILUS GRANARIUS (COLEOPTERA)

[...]there is a growing interest in using pathogenic control agents as an alternative. Losses caused by insects include not only the direct feeding damage resulting in loss of weight but they also severely reduce nutrients, lowering percentage of seeds germination, reducing grade and lowering their marketing value due to the accumulation of waste, webbing and insect cadavers (Hill, 1990). Residual insecticides have been employed to control insect pests of stored grains, but alternative control strategies are desirable because of the loss of insecticides due to pest resistance and consumer desire for pesticide-free grain (Arthur, 1996). The most significant impetus for the growth of biopesticides comes from the growing awareness by farmers of the value of integrated pest management as a more environmentally sound, economical, safer and a selective approach to crop protection (Menn, 1996). [...]it is necessary to find out safer alternative control strategies such as the use of microbial control agents against stored-product insect pests.